Stakeholders want special allocation to tackle Apapa traffic gridlock
ON October 11, 2017 5:58 AM / IN News / BYUgoh Solomon Chinonso
LAGOS—Residents and other stakeholders in Apapa Local Government area of Lagos State have stressed the need for both the Federal and State Governments to earmark special funds in the 2018 budget for the upgrading and restoration of deplorable road infrastructure, as well as finding permanent solution to perennial traffic gridlock in the axis.
GRIDLOCK—The traffic gridlock at the Mile 2 end of Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos ,yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.
Meantime, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Meranda-Lawal Mojisola, representing Apapa Constituency I, has expressed concern over the chaotic traffic situation and poor infrastructure in the area, saying, over 40 percent business owners, including banks had relocated from Apapa due to various environmental challenges.
Residents and stakeholders made the call at the weekend, during a Constituency stakeholders meeting, simultaneously held across all the constituencies, themed; “True Representation and Accountability,” at Apapa Amusement Park, Apapa Local Government Area, Lagos.
Alhaji Ahmed Akeem, a resident, during interactive session at the forum said, “It has become imperative for governments, particularly, the Federal Government to set aside special funds in the 2018 appropriation law to end the perennial indiscriminate parking of trailers and other articulated vehicles with attendants chaotic traffic situation.
“We, residents have abandoned our vehicles at home due to gullies and unmotorable road infrastructure.
We do not drive anymore, we patronize commercial motorcyclists, “okoda” these days. The whole of Apapa is no go area for motorists.”
Also, Mrs. Arike Gbolahan, a business woman, lamented, “Businesses have been crippled in Apapa, our children find it hard to get to schools, no electricity anywhere.”
The entire Apapa needs urgent governments’ intervention to avoid total collapse.
Meranda, the convener of the forum, in her address, however assured residents that improved infrastructure would soon be brought to the area as lawmakers had already begun moves to find a lasting solution to the menace.
According to her, “Our choice of this theme is in consonance with the determination and deep commitment of the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly under the leadership of speaker, Rt. Hon, Mudashiru Obasa in ensuring that our people have meaningful representation through good laws that guarantee infrastructural developments, creation of more jobs, affordable health care delivery qualitative education, among others.
She added that members of the state assembly had scheduled meeting with members of Senate Committees on Marine, Transportation and other stakeholders in the transport sector to an interactive meeting aimed at finding solution to Apapa challenges and its attendant economic impact on residents.
Meranda, apparently worried over the plights of the situation lamented that the development had led to business folding up and relocating to other parts of the state.
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