Residents along the only Lagos international border highway, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway have described the state of the road as more hellish than the intractable Apapa port access roads.
Our correspondent who drove along the road reports that the ongoing road expansion works by Chinese group, CCECC has compounded the traffic crisis alongside the observed relocation of sacked tankers on Lagos bridges.
Residents who opened up on their daily experience on the highway say businesses and all forms of social life on the axis are dead without any sign of revival as rains compound issues.
In an interview, the President of Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), Chief Daniel Oforkansi decried that “On a daily basis, driving from Mile 2 to Maza-Maza down to Alakija and Trade fair is like residing in the hottest part of the hell”.
“Then, coming back at the end of the day’s business in the evening is another big trouble.
According to him, “majority of our members and other business operators at the complex are gradually developing Hypertension without knowing due to traffic gridlocks they pass through on a daily basis”, ASPMDA president revealed.
He also revealed that “Apart from the traffic crisis, some of our members are usually robbed every evening along the traffic by hoodlums who cash in on the standstill posture of the traffic especially between Trade fair to Alakija and down to Volks Bus stop”.
Already, the Badagry-Seme Unit Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Fatai Bakare in an interview, disclosed “We must be sincere with ourselves; the road is in a deplorable state.”
According to him, FRSC had written to the concerned ministry and agencies of government about the deplorable state of the road.
He added that “It is part of our duty to do a monthly audit of all roads in Badagry up to Seme border and all other federal roads that are under our control.
“We have audited the Lagos-Seme Expressway this month and submitted our reports to our headquarters; for onward submission to the affected ministry and agencies of government.
“To be candid, the Federal Government is not folding its arms on ensuring that the road is motorable.
“Recently, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola, said the road has been awarded,” but the speed of work and uncountable number of potholes are now unbearable for motorists and residents along the international highway.
