By As we draw the curtain on 2018, it is pertinent to take a brief inventory of events that shaped the transport sector which is a critical one to the existence of the cosmopolitan state that thrives on movement of people from one location to another due to its huge population. This sector had its fair share of ups and downs in the forgoing year.
Blackboxnigeria takes you through some of the events that took place in this critical sector:
Delayed Lagos Light Railway
Hopes were high early in the year, there was excitement among many stakeholders, road users, and some members of the public that the long-awaited Lagos Metro Railway will be completed before the ending of the year, but alas, the reverse is the case. According to the Lagos State Government, the light rail project running between Mile 2 and Marina will now commence passenger operation in 2022.
After a comprehensive review of the project, it had approved a roadmap proposed by its consultants to complete the civil infrastructure as well as the operation and maintenance infrastructure needed for the commencement of passenger operation in 2022. The government explained.
Black June: Otedola Fire Bridge
Residents of Lagos state would not easily forget the dark clouds casted by the Otedola incident. According to reports, Tragedy struck Lagos at the Otedola Bridge, end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, after a petrol-laden tanker crashed and exploded.
No fewer than 54 cars and commercial vehicles driving behind the tanker on the road were said to have been gutted by fire, during which nine people were reportedly killed. According to an eyewitness.
The Construction of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway
f there is anything exciting to celebrate in the forgone year, it is the Lagos-Ibadan Railway. The railway is said to run within 3 states which are Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States. The railway will be a major relief to road users as people living in Ibadan, Abeokuta can live in their various houses in their states and still work in Lagos. The estimated time from Lagos to Ibadan is said to be within 40-50mins maximum. The work is ongoing.
The Commission and Dismantling of The Ikeja BRT Terminal
One major visitor the State attracted during the year, was president Muhammadu Buhari in March 2018, for the official launch of the Ikeja BRT Terminus which was reported to be a world-class terminus. The terminal was constructed by Planet Projects, an indigenous firm in Lagos, Nigeria. It is however surprising that after 6 months of commissioning, the eventual news of the place is now up for renovation even without usage came as a shocker to all.
Cleaner or Dirtier Lagos
A major event that trended in the social media space during the year, was how dirty Lagos roads were gradually becoming. From the Mainland to the Island, one visible landmark was dungs everywhere. VisionScape; the sole company in charge of keeping Lagos clean appeared to be overwhelmed as heaps of refuse were everywhere.
Similar news of deterioration is the state of bad roads across the state; it became worse when the 3rd Mainland Bridge was closed for Repair Works. Lagosians have to go through hell in order to maneuver their ways through the bad roads and also it became clear that if not for 3rd Mainland Bridge, the potholes virtually made roads in Lagos a death trap.
Another Delay hits Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
According to news, It was no cheering news that the deadline for the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been shifted to 2021. Work resumed this year, but Julius Berger, the contractor handling the Lagos-Sagamu intersection end of the highway, has now dashed any hope of its completion anytime soon. Citing lack of funding and additional designs, it stated that the December 2019 completion date was no longer feasible. This is a severe blow. It betrays a spectacular lack of understanding on the dynamics that underpin a country’s socio-economic development by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Being Nigeria’s most notable road asset, the news of the postponement for another three years is devastating for the users. With a vehicular traffic of 25,000 per hour, the Federal Road Safety Commission says it is the busiest highway in the country.
Myriads of Abandoned Project in Lagos State
It is hard not to think that the defeat of Gov. Ambode to Sonwo-Olu at the APC primaries is not unconnected to the sudden abandonment of key construction in the state except for the Oshodi Terminus which is ongoing but gradually slowing down as compared to when it started earlier in the year
The Oyingbo BRT Terminus which is almost completed and its at 85% stage is now under lock and key with no one on site, not even the engineers, same goes to the Yaba BRT terminus too.
Ojuelegba and Obalende where the beautification of the under bridge was on-going has been abandoned and the weeds have taken over.
The year no doubt for the state was an eventful one in this critical sector!
