• Says defaulting contractors may face sanctions for shoddy work
Chairman of the House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Desmond Elliot, said the committee had the approval of the Speaker, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa and the House to thoroughly look into the challenge and come up with recommendations to help the state.
He said: “The Speaker and the House are concerned about the conditions of the roads in the state, including the fact that some of the roads are washed away a few months or years after they are constructed.
“This tour of roads in the state is about how we can ensure longevity for them and forestall the havoc given by rains. More rains might be coming next year. So, we are working to ensure the roads are safe, accessible to residents and durable for the benefit of mankind.
“We are also looking at collaborative efforts among the tiers of government. At the end of the exercise, we should be able to give a more concrete report regarding good roads, the not-so-good roads and make presentations to the House for a solution.”
He, however, said that erring contractors could face sanctions. Elliot further said that the committee, under the instruction of Obasa, had met with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works and presented documents that would help with the fixing of federal roads in Lagos.
“The meeting with our counterparts at the National Assembly was fruitful and we are hopeful. We will not stop but make sure that all our roads, whether federal, state or council roads within the state are fixed.
“We will not fold our hands at the Lagos Assembly, especially under the leadership of Obasa. We will work to ensure that Lagos roads are second to none,” he added.
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Adekunle Olayinka, said the Ministry of Works would take another look at areas where the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work.
He commended the House for the tour and promised that the state government would continue to do its best to meet the challenges of road infrastructure in the state.(Guardian)
