The Lagos-Badagry expressway is very important, not just to Lagos state, but to Nigeria and the entire West Africa sub-region because it is an international link road to the country and out of the country.
Originally constructed during the oil boom era of the 70s, the state of the road had over the years passed through different stages of deterioration and rehabilitation.
This very important road connects the Trans–West African Coastal Highway connecting Nigeria with Dakar, Senegal, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Ghana and other West African states.
Apparently because of its importance and its poor maintenance state, the Lagos state government decided to take the bull by the horn some years ago by taking over part of the road from the federal government for complete rework and expansion. The move was also meant to ease movement of Lagosians along that corridor.
The projection which started in 2010, was to widen the road from four lanes to ten lanes for road vehicles and also to accommodate a light train track.
Following concerns expressed by Lagosians over the slow pace of work, the main contractor handling the project, the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC, had assured Lagos residents that the project would be delivered on schedule.
An official of the company, Izuchukwu Obioma, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Nonetheless, though scheduled to be completed this year, checks by Transport Day shows that the project is far from completion. This may not be unconnected to lack of sufficient funds.
But with the current state of the road, residents on that axis are passing through hell commuting on the road. This is because the road has suddenly become an admixture of bad portions, park for articulated vehicles, traffic jams, robberies and a haven for road law enforcement officials to extort motorists.
Because of the present confused nature of the road network, especially around Agboju/Trade Fair, many motorists, especially those not used to it, complain of being extorted by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Rather than assist the motorists, they take advantage of the situation, as they are no road signs.
The current state of this road calls for urgent intervention by both the state and federal government. Luckily, the Federal Government said it has commenced the reconstruction works on the Agbara-Seme corridor of Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
Director Highways, South West, Mr Funsho Adebiyi who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen said government was reconstructing, rehabilitating, expanding various sections of the highway and that the work was from Agbara to Seme border post. It is hoped that this will be sustained.
Also, it is a welcome development that the Lagos state government has stepped into the road. Importantly too, the state government should find a way to liaise with the contractor to place road signs to assist motorists. Men of the LASTMA and the Police who are comfortable extorting motorists should also be called to order.

Infinity Tyres