Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has appealed to Lagos residents to protect road drains and other infrastructure from abuse and damage.
Fashola made the appeal during a tour of the ongoing Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki Expressway reconstruction and other projects in Lagos.
He said Nigerians should take ownership of the projects and stop abusing them. The minister decried dumping of refuse in drains of the ongoing project and others across the state. He solicited the support of residents on proper refuse disposal. Fashola said the Federal Government had included beautification to the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota Oworonshoki road construction project, as part of measures to protect Lagos bridges.
He said traders under the bridges caused fire and damage to the infrastructure. While inspecting the project at the Liverpool Bridge in Apapa, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, briefed the minister on the progress of work. Popoola, and a consultant, explained how the design accommodated concrete stalls for a fish market. Fashola said Apapa was wearing a new look with the construction of a garden under Liverpool bridge to dissuade unauthorised persons from occupying it. He said the government was also considering relocating car dealers around Berger/Mile Two axis to stop the trend of selling cars on road
sides. Fashola, who held a meeting with the leaders of the United Berger Motors Dealers Association near Mile 2, said: “The most important thing that has happened here is an agreement that you will move, that is a big step forward.”
The car dealers agreed to relocate from the highway.