The Minister of Public Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, called on Lagos residents on Monday to protect road drains and other infrastructure from all forms of abuse and damage.
Fashola made the appeal during an inspection tour of the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project in Lagos.
He said that Nigerians should take charge of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki expressway and other projects, and end all forms of road abuse.
The minister denounced the dumping of garbage into the drains from the ongoing project and others across the state, and asked for the support of residents for the proper disposal of garbage.
Fashola said the federal government was including the beautification of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki highway construction project as part of measures to protect Lagos bridges.
He said people conducted various forms of business and activities under the bridges that caused fires and various other degrees of damage to infrastructure because they saw unmanned areas and occupied them.
The minister said that beautification was included in the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway project both for aesthetics and to protect the road, bridges and the environment.
While inspecting the beautification under the Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, the Federal Comptroller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Olukayode Popoola, briefed the minister on the progress of work for the construction of a recreation/relaxation facility under the bridge.
Popoola, along with a consultant, explained how the design accommodated concrete stalls for a fish market where people come directly from the jetty.
reports that Liverpool Round About/bridge is the start of the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction project.
Fashola said Apapa was getting a new look with the construction of a garden under Liverpool Bridge to deter unauthorized people from occupying the space.
He said the government was also considering relocating car dealerships around the Berger/Mile Two axis to stem the trend of selling cars on roadsides.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that Fashola had an interactive meeting with United Berger Motors Dealers Association leadership near Mile 2.
After extensive deliberation, the car dealers agreed to the terms of the off-road relocation.
Fashola told dealers, “The biggest thing that’s happened here today is an agreement that they’re going to move forward, that’s a big step forward.”
