Crisis in the roads sector

NIGERIA is said to have a total network of about 200,000 kilometres of roads out of which about 34,000 kilometres representing 17 per cent belong to the Federal Government. Similarly, an estimated 80 percent of all movement of goods, persons and services in this country is still being done by road.
The Federal Government has responsibility for the construction and maintenance of roads in the Trunk A and F categories. These categories of roads link the state capitals and major population centres as well as the borders, sea and major airports.


The government at the centre is also in charge of all trans-African highways which either originate from, or pass through any town in Nigeria.




State governments have responsibility for the construction and maintenance of roads within the states while the third tier of government – the Local Government councils- are responsible for rural roads.



Oshodi- Apapa Expressway by under bridge
Photo: Diran Oshe



Deplorable conditions

But whether the roads are Federal, State or Local Government- owned, Nigerian roads are said to rank among the worst in the world. Most of these roads are in extremely deplorable conditions.

Some communities have actually been cut off from the rest of the country because their roads are completely impassable. Commuters have either been stranded or made to spend days on journeys that would have lasted only a few hours.



The death- trap state of these roads have often led to the increase in road accidents, menace of armed robbers using the bad spots and the short life-span of vehicles plying Nigerian roads.

The Oshodi-Apapa Expressway is one such deathtrap roads. The ever-busy Expressway has over the years, become a nightmare to motorists plying it. Deep craters have taken over various sections of the road, thereby causing unprecedented traffic gridlock on the Expressway.
Despite palliative maintenance by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA and some agencies of the Lagos State Government, the depreciation continues to increase with each passing day.


Second Rainbow bus stop flood ...
a result of poor state of Oshodi Apapa expressway.
Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor



The heavy downpour in the city has further exposed the deplorable state of the road and indeed all roads in Lagos. It is commonplace these days to see motorists trapped in the flood-induced traffic jam for several hours. The worst spots are arguably between First and Second Rainbow and Sunrise.

Works Minister, Arc Mike Onolemenen who was on a recent official visit to Lagos, blamed the perennial flooding on the activities of illegal business men which he said, has led to the blocking of the available water channels.

He therefore sought the intervention of Governor Babatunde Fashola in the recovery of the Expressway’s right of way. He explained that the recent spate of flooding has brought to the fore, the need to clear the manholes of the rubbish that has blocked them.

The Minister claimed that Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Borini Prono have commenced palliative work on some terrible portions on the Oshodi/Apapa Expressway pending when the major rehabilitation will start after the rains.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/08/crisis-in-the-roads-sector/