The Nation Newspaper

Tag: road

  • Five die, others injured in road crash

    Five die, others injured in road crash

    Five persons, including two children, were yesterday confirmed dead after a multiple accident on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    According to the State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), five others were injured and rushed to the Trauma Centre.

    It was gathered that the accident, which occurred around 6:10pm, involved three vehicles – a LAGBUS, Hilux truck belonging to Ikorodu Vigilante Group known as Oyabo and a Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

    Among the dead were three women and two children – a boy and girl.

    It was learnt that the LAGBUS and truck drivers collided.

    The Rover SUV driver, it was learnt, was behind the vehicles and rammed into them.

    LASEMA General Manager Michael Akindele said the bodies were deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) officials.

    He said: “Proper investigation would be carried out on the cause of the accident by the relevant government agencies. Motorists are advised to refrain from speeding and also adhere to all traffic rules and regulation to avoid incident such as this.”

  • Lekki gridlock: Developer builds N30m road

    An estate developer, Mr Kennedy Okonkwo, has constructed a N30 million road in Lafiaji area of Lekki, Lagos State.

    Okonkwo, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Nedcomoaks Limited said the road was part of his contribution towards solving transportation problems in his immediate environment.

    Speaking at the inauguration of Victoria Crest Estate 1, built by his company, Okonkwo said: ‘’I built the road without the support of the community and government to solve transportation problems within the community.‘’

    He appealed to the government to provide land and other incentives for real estate developers to solve housing problems in Nigeria.

    His words: “The government needs to rise up to its responsibility to ensure that financing is made available to developers. Government needs to partner with notable and qualified developers to make sure that land is readily available for them to build affordable houses and also build infrastructure like roads. When people have more roads made available, developers can go to different areas in satellite towns and government will take accolades for it.

    “We have been able to create employment directly and indirectly for over 2,000 Nigerians in different areas. That constitutes most of our achievements. When people have employment, insecurity and crimes will reduce because people are employed. We have also been able to achieve developing communities because we have built roads and houses in many communities.

    “We can meet housing needs effectively when there is finance. When developers have financing, they can assist government in providing housing for many people in Nigeria. When government gives additional incentives to developers in terms of land, it will help developers to build more housing units for people in different parts of the country.”

  • FRSC partners varsity on road safey

    The management of McPherson University (McU) in Seriki-Sotayo, Ogun State, has expressed its readiness to partner the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to ensure safety of lives on the roads.

    The Alapako-Ogunmakin Unit Corps Commander of the FRSC was on the campus to visit the university leadership, last week.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adeniyi Agunbiade, who received the FRSC delegation in his office, praised the agency’s initiative, saying the institution would support the FRSC’s effort to make Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State accident free.

    Agunbiade said: “McU wants sustainable partnership with the FRSC and other institutions of the government whose missions and visions encapsulate assisting humanity. Impacting the society is our core responsibility, and that is evident in our quest to re-electrify more than 14 communities and hundreds of settlements when the school’s power project is completed.

    On his part, the Assistant Corps Commander of FRSC, Mr David Ogunjana, who led the delegation, hailed the university for its readiness, disclosing that the corps was in partnership with notable universities for keeping lives of road users safe.

    He said the FRSC was ready to collaborate with the varsity in the area of research, health and training to make the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the community safer. Ogunjana said the visit was a move to associate with key stakeholders in the community.

    He also called for collaboration in staff training and treatment for accident victims. He promised that the agency would deploy special Corps Marshals to the university and its host community.

    Agunbiade assured the FRSC officers that the University Health Centre would render assistance in treating accident victims, but said possession of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) certificate would spur the school to do more.

    The VC said the school would provide contacts of agencies and organisations that would equally support the FRSC in attaining its goals.

    The Registrar, Mrs Adebola Abegunde, hailed the agency for taking good steps to stem road accidents, but advised the FRSC to sustain its public enlightenment method.

    The FRSC team included Chief Route Commander, Mr Taiwo Iyanda, Route Commander, Mr Hakeem Kareem and Assistant Route Commander, Mr Oluwasegun Adepoju., among others.

  • Atlantic City completes eight-lane road

    Atlantic City completes eight-lane road

    Eko Atlantic City (EAC), a development on the coast of Lagos, has reached advanced stages in the first five million square metres of the project.

    The city not only boasts of independent power and water supply, seamless communications network, but also an extensive citywide road network.

    The city, which is divided into eight districts, is planned for mixed-use with commercial, residential, entertainment and leisure activities to make the city a lively environment. The menities and services will include an international school, hospital, and a high quality shopping mall.  The City’s road design and construction has been built with paved sidewalks, tree-lined and streetlights completed with a stunning ocean view.

    One of the considerations when developing the EAC was to guarantee free flow of traffic.  This has now been achieved with the major road network recently completed.  The extensive road network is now clearly defined with an area in excess of 200,000 sq. metres.

    Most significantly, Eko Boulevard, an eight lane Boulevard, 1,500m long, the focal point of the Business District, is fully completed from Ahmadu Bello Way on Victoria Island to the Ocean Front, where an exquisite waterfront entertainment is being planned.

    “We are extremely proud to have achieved another major milestone in the development of Eko Atlantic City.  This futuristic city is not just for residential and commercial activities, but a tourist attraction.  “We strongly believe the new boulevard will enhance business activities and be the ideal location for  company headquarters, luxury and business hotels and also residential elements as well as attracting tourists from all over Africa,”  Ronald Chagoury Jr, Vice President, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, has said.

    In 2006, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of The Chagoury Group, was awarded the concession to reclaim land, develop infrastructure and act as the exclusive authority over the development of Eko Atlantic City, next to Victoria Island in Lagos. Furthermore, South Energyx Nigeria Limited was specifically created to oversee the planning and development of Eko Atlantic, the new city of Lagos.

  • 12 passengers burnt to death in Ibadan road crash

    Eleven passengers and the driver of a commercial bus were burnt to death yesterday in an accident in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The accident occurred at about 4pm at Academy area of the city, when the 18-seater commercial summersaulted.

    It was learnt that the bus was being pursued by a task force of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for picking passengers by the roadside, instead of taking his turn at the approved motor park.

    The driver was said to have lost control due to the pressure mounted on him by the task force members.

    Two female passengers managed to escape by forcing their way through the back windscreen before the vehicle caught fire.

    An online medium quoted one of the survivors, who identified herself as Kemi as explaining that the driver of the bus was on his way to Lagos when the accident occurred.

    “We boarded the bus at Oremeji/Agugu. After boarding, we discovered that he was being pursued by the task force of the NURTW. The task force members, we were told, were not happy with him for contravening the laws of the union.

    “He was not supposed to be picking passengers by the roadside. He was supposed to register at any of the designated garages and parks.

    “So, after picking us, they started to pursue him. We begged him to stop, but he refused since we were about 14, including the driver in the vehicle,” Kemi said.

    The bus and the occupants burnt as sympathisers watched helplessly.

  • Three years after, Army reopens Maiduguri-Gamboru road 

    The Army yesterday reopened the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru road in Borno State, three years after it was closed following Boko Haram insurgency.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the road was closed to motorists in 2013 at the peak of the Boko Haram crisis.

    Governor Kashim Shettima, accompanied by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, launched the reopening.

    The governor praised the military for containing the insurgency. He said the state is grateful to the Army and sister agencies that contributed to the defeat of Boko Haram, noting that the reopening would revamp the state’s economy and improve the people’s lot.

    “Two years ago, Borno was in a bad state and almost fell completely to insurgents. Today, the story is different and anyone who wants to be fair to the Army must juxtapose these scenarios before drawing conclusion.

    “With the reopening of this road, which is the livewire of the state, there will be a quantum leap in the state’s economy,” Shettima said.

    Buratai said the road was not only important to the people, but strategically significant to the military operation in the region.

    He assured the people that the Army would provide security to motorists.

    The COAS added that the reopening of the road would aid the restoration of civil authorities in the recaptured areas.

    He warned security agents against extorting motorists plying the route, vowing to deal with anyone caught.

    “Even the terrorists are aware of the significance of this road socially, economically and militarily. It is time for us to get it busy again so that economic and social activities will be restored on this axis.

    “The Army will also provide the required security for users. I warn against extorting motorists; we are investigating allegations and anyone caught will be sanctioned.

    “The NURTW should note that we are here to do our jobs and nobody should contribute money to pay security operatives; we don’t want anyone to give us a bad reputation,” Buratai said.

  • Kwara road repair costs N3.2b

    Kwara road repair costs N3.2b

    One year into its second term, the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed administration in Kwara State has said  road rehabilitation cost is N3.2 billion this year.

    The sum covers completed and ongoing projects.

    The administration was confident that it achieved some feat in infrastructure development last year.

    Early this year, it said it would spend N56 billion on infrastructure across the 16 local government areas of the state. The governor added that out of the amount, the administration would source N20 billion bonds from the capital market, explaining that bond “is one of the ways we will device to execute capital project in the in-coming year.”

    Alhaji Ahmed then listed the projects to be executed with the N20 billion to include construction of Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara Road; rehabilitation of Kaiama-Kishi Road, dualisation of Michael Imoudu-Ganmo Road; dualisation of Zango-University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) and completion of Ilorin water reticulation project.

    Others are construction of flyover bridge at Gari-Alimi Roundabout in Ilorin to ease traffic in the area; purchase of 860 transformers for rural electrification; sinking of 938 boreholes in all the 16 local government areas of the state; equipping the yet-to-be-commissioned International Vocational Centre in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun local government area, establishment of the Kwara state University (KWASU) branches in Osi and Ilesha-Baruba in Ekiti and Baruten local councils.

    Despite the shortfalls in the monthly accruals from the federation account and the lean resources of the state government, Governor Ahmed-led government has recorded some achievements on road rehabilitation in the last one year.

    Reeling out some of the administration’s achievements, Works and Transport Commissioner Alhaji Aro Yahaya said the state approved the release of N3.2b for the completion of outstanding roads rehabilitation in the state.

    Alhaji Yahaya added, saying, “One of these important roads to address traffic congestion in the state, is Asa-Dam-Egbejila-Airport Road. It is 7.5 kilometres road and work is still ongoing there. Drainage and construction of the bridge are still on. The objective is to reduce traffic congestion around Gari-Alimi roundabout and airport axis.”

    Said he: “Some of the ongoing road projects in the State include; the Aduralere-Isalekoko-Ojagboro-Sanu Sheu Road, Henry George-Agbo-Oba road, Henry George-Unilorin mini campus road, Ita-Alamu village road, Oloro Palace Road, Share-Oke Ode (lot 1), Share-Oke ode (lot 2), Kishi-Kaiama Road, Egbejila Road, Ilorin, Arobadi Magida Road in Moro Local Government, Baboko Market Road, Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara road, Rore-Ipetu Road, construction of three span bridge in Ilala, Ifelodun Local Government, Oniju street, Babanloma in Ifelodun Local Government and Anilelerin Road, Offa.

    “There is also channelization network at Ita-Alamu, Ilorin South local government area of the state. The area has over the years, been threatened by erosion. Government has thought it wise to channelize the area for the control of election in that axis so that it will not affect the rail lines there.

    “As soon as that is done we will be able to focus on the road network within the vicinity. Rehabilitation is also ongoing on the Gaa-Akanbi road network.

    “We have other interventions that are ongoing in terms of small roads and I want to assure that government is desirous to pay serious attention to infrastructural development in the state in order to promote economic development. Most importantly too we have other roads lined up for rehabilitation in the state and any moment from now Governor Ahmed will launch their construction.

    “I want to seize this opportunity to inform you that when these facilities are completed they will improve the image of the state in terms of infrastructural development. It will also ease human and vehicular traffic.

    “We are equally proposing to dualise Kulende-University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH)-Oke-Ose road. About two years ago, the governor expanded the road from Kulende to Oyun bridge axis to address the suffering of our people who ply that road. The state also plans to construct fly-over bridge from Gari-Alimi end to airport road area.

    “Most importantly, these projects require funds. I want to appeal to the Nigerian public especially Kwarans to also exhibit their civil responsibility through payment of taxes so that government will have funds execute these laudable programmes.”

    But a factional chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo put a lie on the state government’s achievements.

    Oyedepo said: “I want to say this, not because am in the opposition, I will validate whatever I tell you with objective analysis. I don’t believe the government is doing well at all. If the governor and his predecessor have been in government for about 13 years (2003 till now) and the state is as it is, what other evidence do you need to show the whole world that these people are not doing well?

     

     

  • Lawmaker calls for urgent repair of road

    Lawmaker calls for urgent repair of road

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Umuahia/Ikwuano, Sam Onuigbo has inspected failed portions of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road and called for its urgent repair.

    The road has become a source of worry to the Ikwuano communities and road users, especially those travelling to Akwa Ibom or Cross River states. They spend several hours on the road because of its poor state.

    Every year with the coming of the rains the road gets worse and this year is no exception as several portions are impassable, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes to their destinations. Rural farmers are also suffering.

    The situation forced the communities of Ikwuano which are along the road to make distress calls to Hon Onuigbo who inspected the road to see things for himself.

    The lawmaker sent an SOS to the federal Ministry of Works as well as FERMA, the road maintenance agency, to quickly fix the road

    Onuigbo said that he and his colleagues in the National Assembly ensured that its repair was accommodated in the 2016 budget but lamented that the funds so provided can only foot palliative measures and not comprehensive repair that was recommended.

    He described the about 60km road as strategic and important, passing through rich agricultural areas of the state to northern and southern states.

    The federal lawmaker observed that many vehicles have been damaged while many lives have been lost due to the bad nature of the road and called relevant authorities to come to the aid of his constituents and other road users to enable them get connected to other parts of the state, as they have been cut off completely from them.

    Chairman of the Ikwuano LG Council retired Major Emmanuel Awa told journalists that there are over seventeen dead spots between Ikwuano and Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom state and that workers of his Council could not report to work today because of the bad nature of the road due constant rainfalls.

    The traditional ruler of Ajata Nigu King Larry Ogbonna urged the government not to use unknown contractors for the road repairs again which is becoming a recurring decimal in the appropriation bill every year.

  • Nine injured in road crashes

    Nine injured in road crashes

    Eight persons were yesterday injured in a multiple accident on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    The accident occurred near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Water Front inward Oworonsoki around 2pm.

    A passenger bus was said to have lost one of its tyres and rammed into a Toyota Hilux. Both vehicles ran into an Infinity Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a Toyota Corolla.

    The bus driver and his conductor, eyewitnesses said, were “seriously injured”.

    The eyewitnesses said both men and six others were rushed to the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre at the old Toll Gate on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    The Nation learnt that the accident caused a traffic snarl, which stretched to Adekunle Bus Stop.

    Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official, who confirmed that eight persons were injured said: “The accident involved four vehicles – one Toyota Hilux pick-up, one Mazda bus fully loaded with passengers, a Utility Jeep and one Corolla. One of the tyres of the Mazda bus burst on motion and it went to hit the Hilux. In the process, the Hilux hit the other two vehicles but they were not as damaged as the Hilux and the Mazda.

    “There were eight casualties but they were taken to the Emergency Centre at Toll Gate by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). The accident was serious and a lot of people were seriously injured. Some were injured on the head while others were injured in their legs. The driver and conductor of the Mazda bus were among those injured.

    “The accident occurred around 2:15pm. Traffic from the Island to Oworonsoki is currently heavy. The traffic has reached Adekunle bus stop from UNILAG Water Front. As of now, the traffic is still heavy. It did not affect motorists going to Berger from Oworonsoki.”

    An eyewitness said the traffic snarl was compounded by the ongoing work at the Iyana-Oworonsoki bus stop, adding “those working at the Iyana-Oworo bus stop are not allowing vehicles to ply that route which is causing the traffic.”

    He blamed commercial bus operators for the heavy traffic.

    But the LASTMA official said: “The road at Iyana-Oworo bus stop has been under construction for the past three days. So, vehicles would be having a hard time plying that route. We have created a lane for them to pick and drop passengers. The remaining lanes are for other vehicles and since the road is too small to occupy all other vehicles, the traffic is heavy.”

    Also yesterday, a man was knocked down at Oshodi under bridge while trying to cross the highway around 2pm.

    An eye witness said: “Today (yesterday) at Oshodi, I was going across the overhead bridge when I noticed a crowd of people looking at a man lying on the road. Everybody was looking and nobody did anything. I thought the guy was dead until one man went to him and turned him over. That was when I saw that he was still alive and he was bleeding. The man immediately called for help. Nobody around responded to his calls to lift the man from the road until a woman and a Mallam that were passing joined to assist him to lift the guy off the road.

     “I called the emergency numbers severally, 121 and 767, but it did not connect and I was wondering that an emergency occurred at Oshodi here and we cannot get them to come for rescue.

    “The guy was knocked down by a vehicle and the driver fled. It happened under bridge as he was trying to cross the road. Lately, there has been this Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) vehicle there arresting people crossing the expressway but I don’t know where they were when the accident happened. As at when I left there, he was still alive but he was in pains and there was no sign of help coming from anywhere.”

  • Adeyemi hails Fed Govt over Obajana-Kabba road

    Former Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Senator Smart Adeyemi yesterday praised the Federal Government’s decision to allow Africa’s foremost businessman, Dr. Aliko Dangote to rebuild the Obajana -Kabba road in exchage for tax waivers.

    He described the voting of N200billion for road projects as significant and a right step by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He also asked the government to reintroduce toll gates on Federal roads and use the rates for maintenance.

    Adeyemi, who made his views known in a statement in Abuja said it was regretful that Okun people persuaded the last administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to reconstruct Obajana-Kabba road to no avail.

    He said: “We commend President Muhammadu Buhari  and his team for this decision. For eight years, we tried all we could  to get relief for that road, all efforts came to nought. The decision to grant approval for Dangote to build the road is commendable.

    “We played all the politics needed to convince the last administration to fix the road to no avail. We salute the determination of this government in meeting the needs of the masses.

    “Now that they have started with Dangote, they should continue to other zones. The objective should be to made Federal Roads motorable round the year.

    “We are also looking forward to the reconstruction of Kabba-Ilorin road and Kabba-Omuo road.”

    He expressed the hope that all Federal Roads would enjoy such approvals, with renewed activities of the Private sector, adding that with effective collaboration between the public and private sector all roads in Nigeria would wear a new look.

    The Senator said the allocation of N200 billion for road construction in the 2016 budget was also significant and faster way of stimulating the economy.

    Adeyemi added:  “I equally commend the allocation of N200 billion for road construction in 2016. If we get at least 80 percent of that executed, the roads would be in good shape across the geopolitical zones.”