Speeches

Stakeholders’ Meeting On The Proposed Expansion Of Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Jul 3, 2009 - Today’s meeting provides us the momentous opportunity for confrontation with reality. It provides us with the opportunity to make a rare choice for the future, for ourselves and for the generation behind us. It provides us with the opportunity to tell each other the truth.

The first truth is that when Lagos-Badary Expressway was built in the mid 1970s, there was a generous set-back reserved on both sides for future expansion.

The second truth is that in the mid 1970s, the population of Lagos was barely 5 Million people.

Another truth is that over the years, people have taken over most of the set backs without authorization and began to develop properties in spite of the warnings, demolitions and ejections by previous Governments, military and civilian.

It is also now true, that from 5 Million, the population of Lagos has exploded to 18 Million and it is still growing and a journey of 61 kilometres from Eric Moore to Badagry that should take 30-40 minutes now takes anything from 2 (two) to 5 (five) hours with its attendant costs on our quality of life from accidents due to road failure, to stress, high fuel emissions in bumber to bumber traffic and the attendant health consequences.

It is also true that Lagos remains the only modern City-State in the World with over 18 Million people without an intra-city rail.

All these truths add up to one thing. The time for change is not now; it is almost past. We cannot continue to do the same things and expect things to change.

If we do not build this road now, our population will increase, conditions will get worse and it will collapse, just like the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway is now collapsing.

During my campaign, the condition of traffic on this road was a concern. I promised you that we will fix this road, Igbo-Elerin road and the Okota Link Bridge.

We have kept our promises. Igbo-Elerin road is under construction, the Okota Link Bridge is under construction. We have concluded the LASU-IBA road and Amuwo-Ago Palace Way. Work is going on Opeloyeru Road and neighbouring roads as we are also building Cardoso and other roads in Ajegunle.

We have worked very hard night and day to plan and design the new Lagos-Badagry Road into a 10 (ten) lane expressway with a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Route and Intra-City rail.

We have awarded the contract for the 1st Phase of the Lagos-Badagry Road and paid the mobilization fees to the Contractor.

We have awarded the contracts for the construction of the Intra-City Rail and we have concluded arrangements to pay the contractors.

The people who will operate the rail service have submitted their bids.

All that is left is for the citizens and stakeholders to play your part by vacating the set back and let us start work.

The choice is now yours to make. We are ready to deliver on our promise. The construction of this road and the rail service means that at least 1,000 people will be employed here for the next 2 years on a daily basis.

It means that our students in the LASU School of Transportation will witness and learn and participate in the construction, first hand, so that in future Nigeria rail systems will be built by Nigerians.

It means that I can give the go ahead to hundreds of Nigerians who are working in the British Rail Service and waiting to come home that they can began to return.

It means so much more in quality of life, in safety, in travel time and in the growth of the Lagos economy.

It means several thousands of jobs for our children who will work to operate and manage the rail system when it is built.

The Government, as it is entitled to, has acquired all buildings and lands on the right of way which means that the titles have been extinguished by law in the public interest.

The recourse of all those affected is to file for compensation. We have made provision for compensation and we will pay all those entitled to compensation.

The institutional land holders, agencies of Government such as the Nigerian Military, the Nigerian Police and other public utilities must be commended for willingly agreeing with us to yield some of their land and buildings that will be affected by the development.

Democracy requires you to play your part to ensure progress, it requires sacrifice to get a better life, this is the time to make that sacrifice, for yourselves and for your children.

In your lifetime and mine, we can see a truly modern Lagos where rail transportation works.

It is truly possible and we will deliver it with God on our side and you our people behind us.

Babatunde Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State