Lagos Lawmakers charge Sanwo-Olu on completion of abandoned projects

…say residents gradually losing hope in govt

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday charged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the completion of abandoned projects across the state, including the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Igbogbo Bayeku, Ikorodu, which had been abandoned since it was awarded in 2017.

The Lawmakers gave the charge during plenary session when Hon. Moshood Aro (Ikorodu 2) raised the motion under Matter of Urgent Public Importance.

Aro highlighted the dangers posed for not completing road projects, calling on the governor to direct contractors to resume work immediately.

He made reference to a viral video where a student was swept away by flood when trying to board a truck to cross the road, noting that the area has become a hotspot for robbery, making residents feel unsafe.

In his motion, Aro prayed that the Governor should mandate government agencies to provide 60% of the required funds to the contractors and ensure the security of contractors to facilitate prompt project completion.

He also prayed that the House assign the Acting Committee on Works to investigate and report back in two weeks.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Lukmoh Olumoh (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1) 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.

Olumoh urged the House to summon the contractors to explain the project delay.

The Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Ganiyu Okanlawon (Kosofe I) emphasized that abandoned roads had been discussed repeatedly in the House, stressing that it was time to enforce strict measures against contractors who fail to deliver.

He called on the Commissioner for Works to provide a briefing on the state of roads across Lagos.

Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Richard Kasumu, (Ikeja 2),  decried the neglect of Ikorodu, lamenting that the area had suffered both erratic electricity and bad roads for seven years.

He demanded that all contractors handling abandoned projects across Lagos be summoned to account for their failures.

Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) faulted the poor handling of compensation to residents affected by road projects, stressing that many grassroots roads in Ikorodu, Epe, and Badagry remained untouched.

He also proposed legislation to prevent successive administrations from abandoning ongoing projects.

However, the Majority Leader, Temitope Adewale (Ifako/Ijaiye 1), condemned the poor execution of road projects across the state.

Adewale argued that any contractor who fails to complete a project after receiving funds should face imprisonment.

The Lawmakers also raised concern over the fact that constituents are losing faith in the government due to unfulfilled infrastructure promises.

The House, however, resolved to take stringent action against abandoned projects, urging Sanwo-Olu to ensure quick completion of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road and other abandoned road projects.