Apapa Shuts Down as FG Repairs Bridge
The rate at which businesses are relocating from Apapa, host of the nation’s main sea ports, has increased since the beginning of this year. Unlike some business owners, who were compelled to leave town, most residents of the once-serene enclave have vowe
Those who reside or work in Apapa live in constant fear that if the environment remained chaotic as it is, then someday the impending disaster would happen. They are taking measures that the government has shied from over the years, for political reasons, by barricading themselves in and preventing menacing truck drivers from invading the streets where they live with their families. It is gruesome experience for those who need to be in Apapa, and not even the leisure industry is spared.
The flip side, though, is that there is an upsurge in boat rides and booming ferry business. Executives now use boats to travel to and fro Apapa. This is an interesting experience for some but for others who have phobia for large body of water, it is traumatic, particularly because they share the busy bay with ocean liners. Regardless, this is the only convenient way of entering and leaving Apapa. There is another option of crossing from the Outer Marina into Apapa but this avenue closes at 6PM and its not available on weekends and holidays.
Wharf Road... Entering and exiting Apapa through the Ijora-Wharf road axis has never being an easy task, but has reached disgraceful proportions in recent times, particularly when viewed from the fact that the government earns billions of Naira from the Sea Port at the end of this road.
This major road and the link Bridge at the Police Area Command (Leventis Bridge) have suffered neglect for years. The road, a dual carriageway, is in such a terrible state, it takes will-power to drive on it.
Recently, the bridge, unlike the road, is getting some form of attention because it developed a big hole, a sure sign that all those dead weight heavy duty vehicles exert on it constantly was beginning to have effect.
About three weeks ago, the outward bound lane was closed to traffic and would be reopened temporarily tomorrow since repair work on some columns is yet to be completed. Any time from now the inward bound lane would be closed to traffic for eight weeks to enable the contractors carryout similar repair work. Apapa residents’ reaction... Worried by recent developments in Apapa, the Chairman, Apapa GRA Residents Association, Brig-Gen E O Ayo-vaughan Rtd sought audience with officials of the Federal Ministry of Works on site at the weekend and was given a work schedule for the repair of the bridge and roads in Apapa.
“According to the Federal Ministry of Works schedule, major repair works commenced on The Marine Beach bridge on 4th March outbound lane. The lane hitherto closed is expected to be reopened on 29th March. Duration of repairs and closure will be 24 days.
“Thereafter, the inbound lane will be closed from 29th March to 22nd April. These repairs and closures will be repeated on 23rd April to 2nd June and 2nd June to 13th July for outbound and inbound lanes respectively.”
The Chairman said stakeholders in Apapa heaved a sigh of relief when Julius Berger’s heavy road repairs equipment moved into site to commence work on the bridge, which expansion joints have loosened up, with ditches created having negative impact on traffic flow.
“On inquiry, it was revealed that the repairs to be carried out will be very minimal. Inclusive of parts of the bridge to be repaired are the exit into Malu/Mobil road from Apapa, which had been closed for almost 20 years and a section of the inbound and outbound road affected by fire outbreak some years ago. “This is too little. A lot had been written to the local, state and Federal governments in the past on the state of Apapa. The residents have sent emissaries to the local and state governments. The GRA Residents Association had held meetings with the Commissioner for Environment, but all to no avail. The three organs are only paying lip service to the wellbeing and up keep of this part of Lagos. Ironically, Apapa is second only to NNPC in revenue generation for the country and cash cow for the state.
“It was expected that sound arrangements would have been made for alternative route for the outbound journey through Leventis and via Naval Dockyard road. This route is still full of gorges big enough to swallow cars. These often create traffic snarl. A journey of five minutes may take Two hours.
“Rainy season has begun. This project should have taken off in November 2016 and completed before the advent of the rainy season but perhaps for the bureaucratic chicanery. The residents and other stake holders will be in for a lot of hardship in the next four months. With concerted and purposeful effort, plan and schedule, the powers that be can make life a lot easier in Apapa.”
FG’s position... Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who inspected ongoing work at the Bridge in Apapa on Saturday, said the Federal Government was committed to completing road projects across the nation.
Some of the projects the government is attending to in the South-west, he said included the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Wharf Road; Tin Can Island/Oworonshoki Expressway; Truck Park in Apapa; Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; and the Mosimi/ Sagamu road.
He said, “We are currently working on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway; the Apapa road through Creek Road to Tin can Island, Mile 2, Oshodi, Oworonsoki to Kirikiri. Contract had already started in the last administration but there was no sufficient fund for it.
“We have made some substantial recommendations in 2017 (appropriation) and hopefully those recommendations would meet with parliamentary approval. The road is strategic because it helps to evacuate the port and that is critical to a state like Lagos.
“In terms of cargo delivery and cargo evacuation that road is significant in its impact and it will help to divert traffic away from within the state. We are hopeful that in 2017 we will gain some more traction.”
Fashola said the ongoing road projects across the country was to develop the nation’s infrastructure and improve commerce as well as bring the nation out of recession in line with President Buhari’s vision.
According to him, “We have to fulfill Mr. President’s mandate to get this economy out of recession and set it on the path of inclusive growth where money trickles down to the most vulnerable people.”
He said the federal government’s infrastructural renewal commitment was conceived to give job opportunity to various artisans and other construction professionals.
He lauded the President to artisans and of other professional bodies in the construction sector for their role in driving the nation’s development.
He said government would back up training of artisans with an economic programme. “There must be an economic programme and that programme is the infrastructural renewal that puts everybody to work from the architects to those who really build.”
The minister, who paid courtesy visit on Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said the federal government intends to assist Lagos State’s power initiative, especially in the rural areas.
Fashola said, “We have no other responsibility than to assist each state, develop at its own pace. Federal government is not in competition with any state.”