The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) a representative of business interests in Badagry Division, has responded to the multiple protests by motorists and commuters plying the Lagos-Badagry expressway on the proliferation of checkpoints and the illegal activities of security agencies on the international route.
In a release by its Acting Director General, Mr. Opeyemi Oke, monitored by CityMood, the Badagry Chamber of Commerce reported that it immediately called the attention of the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State to the situation and its effect on business growth and development in the region.
“With the help of our amiable President, Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, we were also able to reach the office of the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu who promised to ensure an end is put to this disgraceful acts.
“The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Fredrick Oladehinde assured the Chamber that the matter will be handled as the Sanwoolu led administration remains committed to protecting and promoting the business community” the report reads.
The Chamber appealed to the State Government for possible palliatives for the transporters who have found it extremely difficult to survive the devastating effect of COVID-19 on the transportation business in the state.
Similarly, top political officer holders in Badagry in an extraordinary security meeting with security chiefs in Badagry Federal Constituency have deplored the proliferation of security checkpoints on the Lagos-Badagry expressway tasking the security chiefs to call their men to order.
The leaders say if the illegal checkpoints subsists, it has tasked the Member representing Badagry Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, to book an appointment with the Inspector General of Police on the activities of his men on the international route and its implications on the nation’s economy and international image. While political solutions are also in place to intimate the Lagos State Governor on the situation and to have him wade into the matter.
The checkpoints are only a major symptom of a major but chronic ailment which have bedevelled the region for a long time now.
The terrible state of the roads.” The expressway” .
Much as we acknowledge the effort to reach the root of this over the past few months, it’s noteworthy to reveal that those efforts have now been totally abandoned ( one might be quick to identify the outbreak of COVID 19 as the singular cause of this), but needless to say, that excuse may now be very lame.The roads have become worse with the coming of the rains and commenters and transporters alike will be in for a harrowing experience these coming months if nothing by way of quick intervention comes in to arrest the situation.The roads needs, much more than the transporters, the palliatives being recommended. I’ve said it time and again, let the Nigerian government fix our major infrastructures and see Nigerians fend for themselves.
Repair the roads and see the checkpoints reduce naturally.Several of them are leveraging on the decrepit nature of the terrain to constitute the menace they have become.( @ least, the several illegal ones).
We must address this more NOW than ever before.The rains are here and we must give attention to this as well.