Daily Independent (Lagos)
Funmi Falobi
13 July 2009
The intention of the Lagos State government to expand the Lagos/Badagry express way has generated debate in the state as some residents in the area especially the affected area planning to take government to court.
The state government is planning to expand the expressway to a 10 lane that would include Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), light rail and other vehicles to ease transportation system in the state. The project when eventually completed by the Fashola led administration would be one of the biggest projects undertaken by the government.
However some residents in Badagry have expressed their fear that through the project, they would be displaced and become homeless like other projects undertaken by governments in the past.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly at ICAN Hall, Park View Estate in Amuwo Odofin., some of the residents affected by the demolition exercise lamented that they have been displaced by the project and would take government to court.
Speaker of the State House, Adeyemi Ikuforiji explained that government had to demolish the illegal houses and shops to enable it achieve the set goal which is mega city.
"The action of the state government should not be seen as a wicked act, but should be seen as a move to bring about even development to the state. We all know that most of the structures around that area are illegal and the only way to achieve this by demolishing these structures.
"I don't know why these people had to take the state government to court when they knew that what the government had done is in the interest of development and the state at large. The only advice I would give to such people is to withdraw their cases from court, because there is no way we would go to court and come back to be friends," he said.
Commenting on the issue, a lawyer, Mr. Segun Sango said the state has the power to acquire private lands under the Land Use Act for public use. He explained that expansion of major roads like the Badagry expressway override public interest may demand that.
"It is in the best interest of government in power to dialogue with owners of such property to work out means of compensation. Government should come out with convincing programme, duration and type of the construction so that the people would not be denied their property for an indefinite project. Government should go into proper negotiation and enlightenment of the public," he said.
In order to seek support of the people on the project, the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola held a stakeholders meeting where property owners, opinion leaders and traditional rulers in the over 50 kilometre Lagos-Badagry Express Way which is billed for expansion into a 10 lane super highway were in attendance.
Led by the paramount ruler of Badagry land, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, Akran of Badagry, the stakeholders assured government of their supports.
The road when eventually expanded would open up the area for commerce, industry and boost tourism activity in the area.
While commending the people for their understanding, the governor said government was working in conjunction with the contractors to relocate the Police Station at Orile which is the first to be affected by the project.
According to him, democracy expects everyone to play their part in order to ensure healthy societal development, adding that it requires sacrifice to get a better life.
"This is the time to make that sacrifice for yourselves and your children. In your lifetime and my own lifetime, we can see a truly modern Lagos where transportation works", he said.
He recalled that when the Lagos Badagry ExpressWay was built in the seventies there was generous land that was reserved on both sides for future expansion, but lamented that with a population boom, the setbacks have been taken over without authorisation and unregulated development of properties in spite warnings, demolitions and ejections by various governments.
According to him, a journey of about 60kilometres from Eric Moore to Badagry which should have taken 30 minutes now take between two to five hours with its attended cost on our quality of life from accident, stress, high fuel emission in bumper to bumper traffic and attendant health consequences.
"The express road would be done into a 10 lane dual carriage way of five lanes on each side with BRT lite corridor and light rail facilities", he stressed.
He declared that Lagos- Nigeria is the only country that had not constructed its own gateway road according to international standards on the West African coast.
The state is also the only modern city with a population of more than 10million people that does not have an intra city rail. 30 years ago, the country had the opportunity to build a metro line but flunked it and now paying the price for the lost opportunity.
"Cairo and Libya who came to look at our design have been operating theirs in the last 15 to 29 years. Dubai has just completed her own with barely 1.5Million people. All these add up to the fact that the time for change is not now, the time for change was yesterday".
"We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect things to change. If we do not build this road now, our population will increase and the condition of the road will get worse. It will collapse just as Apapa/Oshodi is now collapsing," he said.
The Governor revealed that contract has been awarded for the first phase and the mobilisation fees paid to the contractor, adding that the contract has also been awarded for the construction of an intra city rail for which arrangement has been concluded to pay the contractor.
He said the construction of the road and the rail service means that at least 1000 people would be employed during the construction process on a daily basis.
Fashola said the Government has acquired all the properties that fall on the Right of Way in the area in the overriding public interest thus extinguishing all the titles and tasked all the property owners to come forward and apply for compensation.
According to him, the amount to be paid as compensation cannot be determined as at now because many more are still coming forward with their claims and promised that the state Government would pay all those who are entitled to the compensation.
He explained that the first step is to identify those who are entitled and the next step is to get survey or to measure and quantify, saying the process of compensation is also a process of employment for those dealing in land matters and estate valuing.
The Lagos Badagry Expressway would be a laudable project by the present administration if it is done within the framework. It would also boost economy as well as tourism in the area and Lagos at large. However, government must carry the people along and enlighten the general public on its programme. Cost of dislocation should be properly evaluated and contractors keep to duration of work so that those affected by the project would not regret doing so.
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This indeed is a very good project, as his excellency commented, this project was long due, nothing should debar the government from accomplishing this lofty project which offers a better prospect of life to Lagos people as a whole and more importantly, the people dwelling in Badagry including those who appear to oppose the project.
I sympathise with those who may be affected by the project and I would advise them to state their grievances and follow the right procedure for compensation, they should take advantage of a listening administration with a human face now in power.
Nothing should stop this project, any attempt by any body to stop a valuable project like this is not only a disservice to themselves, Lagos inhabitants, or to Nigerians generally but more of a disservice to humanity and better quality of life.
Thanks.
Ben Alabi.