The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Allied Trucks Transporters Association of Nigeria (ATTAN) National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and
Some motorists and transport unions plying Badagry expressway have commended the Federal Government over the faster pace of work ongoing at the Agbara-Seme border section of the road.
The road users gave the commendation on Sunday in Badagry, Lagos State.
Mr. Mohammed Sodipo, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Badagry Branch, said that if the contractor handling the road continued with the current pace of work, the road project would be completed soon,
“When they started the construction, it took the contractor almost two years to construct a kilometer, but surprisingly, they have completed within two months from Agemowo, MTN, Mowo, Aradagun and they working towards Lima area.
“This is great, I believe if the contractor is working this way within six months, the whole work will be completed.
“We heard that the government just paid the contractor N15bn, this is good news, but all the same, FG should set up a monitoring team to ensure the construction is executed to the latter,” he said.
Mr. Latif Rasheed, also a lawyer, said the construction of the expressway was very slow when they started in 2019.
“Now, the contractor handling the road is working day and night and we are happy with this development.
“We believe with adequate funding the construction will be speedily completed in 2022.
“We believe the present administration is responsible and responsive over our plight and this is part of dividends of democracy that we are looking forward to seeing,” he said.
Ongoing construction of Lagos Badagry expressway at Limka area of Badagry by CGC construction Ltd.
Mr. Kola Onifade, Chairman, Allied Trucks Transporters Association of Nigeria (ATTAN), said the way the contractor was handling the project was impressive, adding that it gave motorists hope that the project would soon be completed.
“Every member is happy about the way they are working day and night.
“Our trucks are now safe on the highway, the breakdown of our truckshase reduced along the Aradagun Mowo axis.
“Kudos to President Buhari for doing what other administrations have failed to do,” he said.
Mr. Kabiru Oloso, a commercial bus driver and member of Lagos NURTW, said plying Badagry-Mile 2 route had become less stressful now.
“The journey is no longer stressful when you get to Mtn now, the one-lane construction is smooth.
“Drivers spent 35 minutes from Mtn and Agemowo axis to Aradagun but now it is just five minutes drive
“We thank the government and want to beg them not to stop funding the contractor handling the project,” he said.
Commercial bus plying the Badagry Agbara expressway.
Mrs. Mariam Avoseh, a commuter, said that transport fare from Badagry to Mile 2, Lagos had reduced from N1,000 and N1,200 to N700 and N800.
“Apart from the fare, we no longer spend between four to five hours to Lagos from Badagry because as the Federal Government is fast-tracking the construction here, Lagos State Government is also working on Okoko and Ojo axis.
“This has rekindled hope in us, if the road is completed and electricity supply is regular, life will become conducive for all and sundry in Badagry,” she said.
NAN reports that the Agbara-Seme border section of Lagos-Badagry expressway project will receive N15 billion of NNPC tax credit fund, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola, has said.
Popoola said that the intervention funding would fast-track the ongoing reconstruction of the road. The 46 km highway was awarded to CGC Construction Company in October 2018 for N63.2 billion. (NAN)
