Lagos Assembly Demands Urgent Action on Abandoned Roads

.....Summons Works Commissioner, Contractors for Explanations

The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the state government to urgently address the growing concerns over abandoned road projects across the state.

During a plenary session presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, lawmakers specifically drew attention to the long-abandoned Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA). They urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to ensure that HITECH Construction Company resumes work on the project.

The Assembly also mandated all lawmakers to compile a comprehensive list of abandoned roads in their respective constituencies for submission to the appropriate government agencies.

Lawmakers Decry Hardship Faced by Residents

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Aro Moshood, who lamented the severe hardship faced by Ikorodu residents due to the incomplete road project.

"This road has been left in a deplorable state since 2017. What was meant to bring relief to the people has now become a source of distress, posing serious security and socio-economic challenges," Moshood stated.

He further highlighted the alarming rise in criminal activities, including kidnappings, accidents, and sexual assaults, which he attributed to the poor condition of the road.

Call for Contractor Investigation and Legislative Action

Other lawmakers supported the call for urgent intervention. Hon. Abiodun Ogunleye emphasized the strategic importance of the road, stressing that its completion would significantly boost economic activities in the area.

Hon. Lukmon Sa'ad Olumoh expressed disappointment over the prolonged delay, noting that the Assembly had previously approved funds for the project.

"It is disappointing that a road construction project has been abandoned for over seven years. I was part of a committee that inspected ongoing road projects across the state last year, and contractors cited the fluctuating exchange rate as a major challenge," Olumoh said.

He further urged the House to summon the contractor responsible for the project to clarify whether the approved funds were disbursed and utilized appropriately.

Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon, Deputy Chief Whip of the House, called for decisive government action. He insisted that both the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure and the contractors should be summoned to explain the cause of the delays.

"This issue of abandoned road projects should not be treated with levity. We need clear answers on why these projects remain uncompleted," he stated.

In a bid to prevent similar issues in the future, Hon. Tobun Abiodun proposed the enactment of a law mandating all administrations to complete projects initiated by their predecessors.

Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Richard Kasunmu stressed that the problem extended beyond Ikorodu, pointing out that several road projects across Lagos had been left unfinished.

"This is not just an Ikorodu problem; it is happening across the state. We need to summon all relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, to provide explanations for these abandoned roads," Kasunmu stated.

Assembly Demands Immediate Action

After extensive deliberations, the Lagos Assembly unanimously resolved to summon the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure alongside the contractors handling abandoned road projects to provide a detailed report on their status and propose concrete solutions.

Signed:
Media Office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker