The completion of the Oshodi-Apapa expressway is under threat due to improper waste disposal at the Berger Auto market – Liverpool end of the road. Contractors are unable to begin road beautification as planned due to indiscriminate dumping of waste along the axis by residents of the area. This has affected the proposed beautification of the corridor, which was in the original master plan of the construction work as executed by Messrs. Dangote Limited, according to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (FMWH).
During a joint inspection of the corridor over the weekend, the Port manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Tin-Can Island Port Complex(TCIPC), Mallam Buba Jubrin, expressed concerns over the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the dual carriage way. Jubrin called on all stakeholders to address the waste disposal condition of the corridor to ensure that the road is completed on time.
The Port manager also disclosed that the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, would be notified to act swiftly to clear the refuse from the road in conjunction with the relevant bodies of the state government. NPA will work closely with the FMWH and the Lagos State Government to address the waste disposal condition of the corridor.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Engr. Umar Bakare, noted that the project runs from Gbagada, hence progress has been recorded in that axis. He stated further that the projects are in phases but maintained that the port corridor has been discouraging with the arbitrary disposal of refuse by residents of the axis.
The managing director of Arabella Landscape Ltd, Babatola Akinkugbe, noted that indiscipline and abuse of the road by Nigerians over waste disposal was responsible for the present condition of the road. Akinkugbe disclosed that the indiscriminate refuse dump along the road was an eyesore. He added that there is a need for law enforcement agencies to arrest anyone found dumping refuse along the corridor.
The improper waste disposal along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway has become a hindrance to the road’s completion. Government officials, contractors, and stakeholders need to collaborate to address the situation to ensure that the road beautification plan is executed, and the road is completed as scheduled. Law enforcement agencies should also play a role in ensuring that residents and motorists are compliant with waste disposal regulations to prevent further damage to the road’s infrastructure.