Lagos Assembly asks Sanwo-Olu to complete abandoned road projects

CHSR raises alarm over plans to remove Meranda
The Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, called on the state government to urgently complete all abandoned roads in the state, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Igbogbo-Bayeku, Ikorodu, which had been abandoned since it was awarded in 2017.

Aro Moshood, representing Ikorodu II Constituency, raised the motion at the plenary session, highlighting the dangers posed by the neglected road. He recalled that during the last rainy season, a viral video showed a student being swept away by floodwaters while trying to board a truck to cross the road.

He also noted that the area had become a hotspot for robberies, making residents feel unsafe. In his prayers, Aro called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to direct the contractors to resume work immediately.

He also said that the governor should mandate government agencies to provide 60 per cent of the required funds to the contractors and ensure the safety of the contractors to facilitate prompt project completion.

A lawmaker, representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun I Constituency, Sa’ad Olumo, while supporting the motion, revealed that the Lagos State government had allocated sufficient budgetary provisions for road projects.

He noted that while contractors cited rising material costs, budget adjustments had been made to accommodate them. He, therefore, urged the House to summon the contractors to explain the reasons for the project delay.

The House, however, urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to ensure swift completion of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road and other abandoned road projects across Lagos.

MEANWHILE, a group, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR), has warned those fanning the embers of discord in the Assembly to desist from their orchestrated plan of removing the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda or invite the wrath of the public.

President of the CHSR, Alex Omotehinse, who gave the stern warning during a media briefing held in Lagos, yesterday, called on stakeholders in the democratic process to demand protection for the new Speaker, who he said, must not be intimidated or harassed to abandon the cause of democracy and independence of the legislative assembly.

Omotehinse said that the change in leadership by majority of the members of the House was a reflection of how elected representatives should assert themselves within the purview, procedural and legitimate essence of separation of powers.

He added thatb it would amount to a declaration of war on democracy to continue to precipitate the needless crisis to impede the legislative business of the House, and by implication undermine governance in the state.

He warned that any attempt to foist Obasa as a perpetual and untouchable Speaker of the Assembly is a huge disservice to democracy and an unwarranted assault on the collective integrity of Lagos residents and the generality of the electorate.