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| Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Governor |
Besides, the gains recorded
by the preceding administration of Barrister
Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) can only be of benefit to the people of the
state if they are consolidated by the succeeding administration. Failure to so
consolidate will sooner than later spell chaos for the state.
Before now, the new
administration has been harshly criticised over the worsening traffic gridlock,
and the seeming irresolvable lawlessness of motorists in Lagos. While these
problems are not new, some people, particularly commercial drivers, seem to
derive pleasure in taking advantage of government’s slow take-off. That the
government appears to be alive to its responsibility should be a matter for
cheers. This has been noticed in its restoration of order at the Falomo
roundabout of Ikoyi and Victoria Island, easily the highest
brow of the state, home also to huge business concerns.
Until now, the existence of
Falomo Market had produced combined
snags of traffic snarls, crime, environmental abuse and general lawlessness
which have carved a dark spot in the area, tending to demean the rest of the
area. It began as Mammy market for the police but has grown to become an
eye-sore.
Similarly, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos
State, the other day, deployed bulldozers that demolished the popular Owonifari
Market in Oshodi in a bid to build a modern bus terminus. The earlier
demolition by the former governor, Babatunde Fashola, opened the roads and
eased traffic.
Notwithstanding the
positives of these efforts at restoring sanity to the state, government should
not pretend to be unaware of tangential problems that will necessarily arise
from its actions. Such problems include finding alternatives to people who were
otherwise pre-occupied in the reclaimed areas, paying compensation, wherever
applicable, to the victims, and maintaining the areas with a view to preventing
a relapse of the degradation and disorder previously prevalent in them.
In Ikoyi for instance, it
would appear that the Falomo Roundabout was ceded to the wives of policemen in
the adjoining barrack to be used for commercial activities close to their home.
Naturally, there should be some palliatives from government to resettle them at
a more convenient place that will not constitute nuisance to the rest of the
public. It is hoped that government is mindful of these requirements in Oshodi,
and indeed all other places that will be affected by the renewal exercise. The
demolition has brought hardship to thousands of traders whose goods and shops
were reportedly destroyed. The traders claimed they were given short notice,
even as the demolition took place while many were still away on Christmas and
New Year holiday.
The Oshodi market, which
had existed for over 40 years, had brought fame and notoriety to Oshodi.
Traffic was perpetually paralysed while hoodlums and other criminal elements
made Oshodi their safe haven; perpetrating heinous crimes amid the chaotic
mess. From that angle, the State Government deserves support for the move to
transform Oshodi.
Whereas the affected
traders and shop owners were relocated to the newly built Isopakodowo Market in
the Bolade area of Oshodi, government should assist traders who genuinely lost
their wares in the demolition process. The welfare of the people should be
uppermost in whatever the government is doing.
In a battle to bring sanity
to the traffic-choked city, the Lagos State Task Force, Monitoring and
Enforcement Unit had earlier sanitised the Ladipo auto spare parts market on
the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, where some unruly traders had virtually taken over
the service lane and parts of the Expressway with disused vehicles, and turned
the axis into a huge mechanic workshop. The raid opened the lanes and enhanced
free flow of traffic.
Indeed, the environmental
anomie in Lagos encompasses the entire metropolis and requires a holistic
approach to tackle effectively. There is practically no part of Lagos that does
not face congestion resulting from among other things, lack of planning,
unfettered street trading, violation of traffic rules and general impunity in
conduct of personal and business affairs.
Although the Lagos State
Government is currently working on a mega-city plan that seeks to transform the
metropolis into a modern functional city, a lot still needs to be done both in
the short and long run to realise this dream. The massive redevelopment taking
place in the Ikoyi and Victoria Island axis, hitherto two highbrow residential
suburbs, is a case in point. What is the intendment of the authorities in
watching these areas transform from residential to commercial centres?
Ikoyi was originally
created as a Government Reserved Area (GRA), where expatriate colonial staffers
lived with their Nigerian servants. It mimicked the greenery that adorned
similar residential suburbs in England. It was serene, noiseless and clean,
with enough space for gardens, swimming pools and parking. Today, Ikoyi has
lost the attraction and splendour of a GRA.
In approving development
projects for the area, the concerns of the Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents
Association (VIIRA), should be taken into account. Failure of this accounts for
the disharmony in the two upscale suburbs.
As more high-rise buildings
dot Ikoyi, traffic gridlock would become more pronounced as no new roads or
flyovers are being built. This seeming confusion in the development aspirations
of the Lagos State Government to manage various environmental infrastructure
should not be allowed to distort the city.
A way of possibly resolving
the problem is to diffuse developments to the suburbs rather than concentrating
in the long existing two-sector Lagos Island/Mainland. The State Master plan,
which extends development to Epe and Badagry axis, should be brought into
action, with a focus on to the future. Similarly, it is counterproductive to
demolish all the iconic landmarks that make Lagos in order to accommodate new
developments.
A link light railway, good
highways and functional water transport to connect different parts is one sure
way to decongest Lagos, and extend development to its outskirts. (Source:
Guardian)
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