70km Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Road to be completed in 18 months–Dapo Abiodun

 

CITIZENS COMPASS–Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Friday flagged off the construction of the 70-kilometer Abeokuta-Ifo-Ota-Lagos Expressway assuring that it would be completes within 18 months.

The governor, who performed the flag-off at Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area, noted that the road is significant not only to Ogun State but also to Lagos State and the nation, as it provides a thoroughfare for people going to the neighbouring country.

It would be recalled that the attempt to reconstruct the road was first conceived in 2019, but all efforts to convince the federal government to release the road to the Ogun State Government proved abortive.

According to the Governor: “The plan for the reconstruction of this road did not just start today because we have the interest of our people at heart. We know this is a Federal Government road, and the State had to follow the due process before getting the required approval to commence the reconstruction.

“This road was awarded 2003, but since then, it has suffered insufficient funding, resulting in contractors working and many times abandoning the road at times for a year by when the roads would have suffered degradation. Our people have suffered too much  travelling on this road, but today Hope is Renewed.

“I am glad to inform you that work is beginning on the road immediately. The excuse then was that there was a sitting contractor on the road. The best the State could do at that time was to carry out palliative works on the critical sections along the road axis. We re-opened our appeal to the Federal Government to reconstruct the road upon the inauguration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously, through the Honourable Minister for Works, handed over the reconstruction of the road to Ogun State.

“I want to use this medium, therefore, to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for obliging our state’s request by granting the approval and releasing the Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road to us for reconstruction.

“My sincere appreciation also goes to the Federal Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for his support and cooperation in ensuring our State got the necessary approval to reconstruct the road,” the governor said.

The governor described the road as the second busiest in the country apart from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango Road has been adjudged  to be the second busiest road in Nigeria and is vital to the economy of the people of Ogun State and Nigerians at large. It connects Abeokuta and its hinterlands to Lagos State, and links Ilaro in Ogun West to Sagamu in Ogun East through the Sagamu-Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro road. 

“On the Ota side, it also connects the Sango-Atan-Owode-Idi-Iroko road, leading to border towns and the Benin Republic. 

The road serves as a critical artery for numerous industrial hubs in Ota, including the Lafarge Cement Factory, Ile-Ise Awo, various schools, and higher institutions. The communities along this corridor are densely populated, and the road’s strategic location has a significant impact on trade and economic activities,” he added.

He noted that five construction teams would be involved in the execution of the project for speedy completion.

“To fast-track the reconstruction of the road, five reconstruction teams will be involved, and each team will handle one of the following zones: Ota/Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro/Itori, Abeokuta, and the team allocated for palliative works to ensure smooth traffic along the project alignment during the construction duration.

“Each zone covers a distance of approximately 15 km. The Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road project is expected to be completed in eighteen months,” Prince Abiodun enumerated.

The construction of the road, the governor emphasized, would create jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers through direct and indirect employment for residents of the State, just as it would improve security along the axis and provide a conducive environment for factories and businesses in the communities to operate.

While calling on the people to take ownership of the project by cooperating with the contractor, Governor Abiodun urged the private sector to partner with the state government in its socio-economic development drive, stating that his administration would continue to provide the required infrastructure to facilitate easy movement across the State.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Lateef Yusuf said the state government is committed to ensuring the completion of the 70-kilometer road, which cuts across four local government areas of the state to alleviate the suffering of motorists.

In his goodwill message, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, noted that successive administrations in the State did not pay attention to the deplorable condition of the road but praised the present administration for deeming it fit to fix it for good.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, noted that the reconstruction of the road is a major dividend of democracy for the people, as they have been clamoring for its repair for some time now, calling on the road users to make judicious use of it.

The representative of the Managing Director of Graneburg, the company handling the rehabilitation, Engr. Edmond Maalu appreciated the government for entrusting the project to his company while assuring that it would execute quality work and called for the cooperation of the people and traffic management for seamless operation.

Also speaking, the Olu of Itori, Oba Abdulfatai Akanmo, said the road has been in bad condition for about 12 years, as previous administrations at both the federal and state levels did not bother to rehabilitate it, thereby exposing motorists to unnecessary hardship.

 

Mob apprehends kidnapper, recovers 

N1.5 million ransom

 

CITIZENS COMPASS–A suspected kidnapper has met his Waterloo when some residents of the NEPA community, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State descended on him, apprehended him and recovered the sum of N1.5 million ransom from the relatives of his victims.

Spokesperson, Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alabor Alfred, confirmed the incident to newsmen saying the suspect was being investigated by the anti-kidnapping unit.

A vigilante in the NEPA community, who pleaded anonymity, on Thursday said that after the residents apprehended the suspect, he was immediately handed over to the vigilantes in the area.

He added that the suspect was later taken to the Laranto Police Station.

According to him, the vigilante said the abductor had kidnapped two children aged four and five but after receiving a ransom of N1.5 million, the suspect refused to release the children.

He said when the suspect returned to the unoccupied building where he was keeping the minors, passers-by heard the kids crying and immediately rushed towards the building.

Upon arrival, the kidnapper, who was with the minors, jumped out of the window, but as people screamed and shouted ‘kidnapper,’ men and women from the community came out in large numbers and caught him.

“The resident then handed him over to the community vigilante group which took him to Laranto Police Station along with the sum of N1,492,000 that he had already collected from the parents of the victims,” the man said.

 

…GWG

 

Dispatch rider dies, two rescued, BRT passengers injured

 

CITIZENS COMPASS–A dispatch rider on Friday, lost his life in a multiple accident just as two others were rescued along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.

The accident involving a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Kia Rio and motorcycle occurred near Chevron, toward Ikota. 

An eye witness, Mr Akinloye Amos, told Citizens Compass that the impact of the accident disrupted free flow of traffic on both sides of the road from Tollgate, Chevron, Ajah and their environs.

According to him, “A serious accident occurred at Chevron junction inward Ajah and this has disrupted the free flow of traffic from Chevron to Ajah.

“Road users from Ajah will experience the Traffic at Tollgate.as a High Capacity Bus from Ajah inward Lekki has veered off its lane to the other side crashing into other vehicles. A dispatch rider has lost his life.”

Confirming the accident in a statement, spokesperson, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that a high-capacity ‘T&M’ bus (AKD 952 XZ) lost control due to brake failure while speeding, colliding with an oncoming ‘KIA RIO’ vehicle (BDG 853 DA). The impact caused the KIA RIO to crash into a dispatch motorcycle (KTU 695 QK) in the opposite direction. 

“The dispatch rider was pronounced dead at the scene, while two others sustained serious fractures and were rushed to a nearby hospital by a good Samaritan who was driving along the expressway.

“Police officers from Ajiwe and Ilasan Police Stations provided security during the rescue operations conducted by LASTMA personnel and other emergency responders.

“The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and sympathized with the two injured victims.

“He also urged motorists, particularly high-capacity bus drivers, to ensure their vehicles are in proper working condition, especially the braking system, before embarking on any journey within or outside the state.”

BRT passengers injured

Similarly, many passengers of another fully loaded Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) were injured when the bus fell by its side in the Iyana-Ipaja area along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The accident was said to have occurred before 7.a.m when the bus heading for Obalende reportedly took off from Iyana-Ipaja.

Eyewitnesses’ accounts gave conflicting reports about the accident.

One of them said the bus driver was using his mobile phone when the accident occurred while another said the accident occurred while trying to dodge a pedestrian on the dedicated lane.

Reports from the axis said about 10 passengers were injured during the accident but there was no record of fatalities.

Confirming the accident, LASTMA on its X Handle said, “A fully loaded high-capacity bus fell on its side inside the dedicated lane (BRT lane) with a record of 10 casualties (Victims), which they were taken care of.”

In his preliminary report, Spokesperson, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosar Okunbor, said, “Following distress calls to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 0635hrs, the Agency activated it’s Dolphin Response Team from the Igando Base.

“Upon arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene, the LRT discovered that a fallen BRT Bus registration number BDG 390 XR, loaded to capacity at the above mentioned location.

“Investigations revealed that the BRT Bus had taken-off from Iyana Ipaja BRT Bus Terminal and headed to Obalende before the accident occurred while the BRT Bus driver was attempting to avoid hitting a pedestrian. 

“An Hausa pedestrian hawking plantain from a wheelbarrow reportedly dashed across the BRT corridor, causing the BRT driver to swerve suddenly and in the process lost control of the bus, climbed the road divider, falling on it’s side.

“Fortunately, no lives were reported lost due to the incident.

“Though some passengers escaped unhurt, many of the BRT bus passengers reportedly sustained critical injuries and had been taken to an unknown hospital before arrival of the Dolphin Response Team at the incident scene.

“All necessary safety measures have been activated to safeguard responders and road users during the operation. 

“Primary responders at the incident scene are collaborating to ensure a speedy recovery of the fallen BRT bus and restoration of normalcy to the BRT corridor. 

“The  fallen BRT bus has been lifted upright and towed off to Moshalashi Police Station near Alimosho roundabout with the Tow Truck provided by the officials of NPF at the incident scene. 

“Road has been re-opened for vehicular activities. Recovery operation concluded. 

“In attendance; LASEMA Response Team, LASTMA, BRT representatives and officials the Nigerian Police Force.”

In a related development, LASTMA informed members of the public that free flow of traffic was disrupted along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, when a loaded truck fell at Durbar Junction blocking the road inward Alakija.

The Authority disclosed this on its X Handle which reads, “This post read, “[7:22 AM] #LagBadgryExp #DurbarJunction #AccidentReport There is a fallen loaded truck at Durbar junction inward Alakija that took 100% of the road.

“Traffic has been diverted through the service lane from Orile heading towards Durbar.

“Effort is ongoing to evacuate it from the road and our men are firmly in position to monitor the situation.

“Transloading of contents in the fallen truck is currently ongoing. We apologize for the inconvenience. LASTMAcares!”

Similarly, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the State government on Friday dislodged activities causing gridlock at Iyana-Ipaja bus-stop.

He disclosed this on his X Handle which read, “Today, 57 commercial vehicles and tricycles were impounded at Iyana Ipaja for illegal parking and unauthorized passenger pickups, which caused severe traffic congestion…

“The affected areas have now been cleared, and traffic flow has been restored.

“We remind all road users that any actions leading to gridlock will not be tolerated in Lagos State. Please comply with traffic regulations to ensure smooth movement for all.”