By Akinwale Kasali
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has been indicted by the Lagos State House of Assembly as the major cause of damaged roads in the State.
During Monday’s Plenary, the Mudashiru-Obasa led Assembly said that Trucks belonging to Dangote are the cause of damages on Lagos roads.
A motion moved by Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Representing Epe 1 Constituency, prayed that the House resolve to call on Dangote Group of Companies to perform its corporate social responsibility role by supporting the state government in the construction and repairing of roads in the state.
It also observed that most of the roads in the state were being damaged by trucks belonging to the Dangote Group.
The State Assembly, however, called on the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the State Treasury Office (STO) to ensure that contractors are not paid contractual money without meeting the necessary conditions.
As regards the right of way given to contractors, the Assembly says that the state government must ensure that the necessary right of way is given to the contractors before the commencement of construction works.
It was added in the resolution that the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure should ensure quality supervision of the road projects.
Tobun, the Chairman, House Committee on Works and Infrastructure stated that there was need to ensure good quality of roads in the state, stressing that inspite of the quantum of the tax payers money being spent on road construction in the state, most of the roads in the state were in bad and deplorable condition either because they were done in a shoddy manner or not done at all, adding that the money released for the projects were not properly spent.
“The House is further concerned that after most of the roads are repaired, heavy duty vehicles ply the road without regard for the damage done to the roads.
“We should urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure that contractors are not paid mobilisation fee unless they are ready for the work.
“The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure should also ensure that only contractors with requisite experience are given the job to do,” he said.
The lawmaker added that innocent lives have been lost due to the condition of roads in the State.
“The rate at which people are being killed on the roads in the state is alarming, some people on the entourage of the Oba of Epe were killed by an articulated vehicle on Epe road on Sunday”, he revealed.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa observed that there were three major items in the motion, stating that one of the motion made it clear that the government agency in-charge of road construction should be alive to their responsibility.
Also, the contractors should do their jobs, while corporate organisations should play their Corporate Social Responsibility roles.
In the same vein, Hon. Bisi Yusuff, representing Alimosho Constituency 1 said that there must be quality and value for money on the roads being constructed in the state.
He gave example of Kudirat Abiola Road in Oregun, Ikeja, which he said was commissioned 14 years ago and, which he said is still in good condition.
Lending his voice to the discussion, Hon. Rotimi Olowo, representing Shomolu Constituency 1, stated that many of the contractors that do not love the state, bolting away after collecting mobilization fee.
Olowo stressed that Lagos State is losing a lot of money because of insurance bond, and that at every stage of the project, the APG must be alive, which he said should not only be for mobilisation fee, but other subsequent payment in the life of the project.
Hon. Olayiwola Sobur Olawale from Mushin Constituency 2 urged the House to pay attention to the issue of block drains.
“Some of the potholes on our highways are due to the carelessness of our people.
“Incessant dropping of wastes on our roads block the drains. The contractors should be made to sign agreements that they would be brought to book over any road they construct that fails.
“The neighbourhood watch should call our attention to any vehicle that spoils the road so that we can sanction the owners,” he said.
