Filled potholes are of another gradient with the existing roads being reinstated and slightly elevated mounds are the results of these repair works. Are we supposed to be grateful that the potholes have been filled and dare not complain about the resultant mounds that are not a motorist’s delight especially when you are on a high speed. Many efforts at straddling large potholes have failed when the alternative option of swerving violently to avoiding these would definitely lead to ghastly if not fatal accidents. But the key word here is the remedial works being carried out as these are still the existing road networks since independence (not the Nigerian flag independence of 1960 but the independence of Lagos Colony on 5 March, 1862). Exceptions being for the very few new constructions in ‘strategic’ locations, say in Bourdillion Road or Oyinkan Abayomi’s Drive in Ikoyi (where the elite have substantial current and future interests, that is) as opposed to AlfaNla or Ajangbadi. Until when the same quality attention being paid to traffic management at Falomo or Akin Adesola is also paid to vehicular traffic on Alof/Oke Popo or FolaAgoro/Bajulaye that we can be sure that hope is rising for other residents in the State. Yet, some few not so elitist areas have enjoyed super roads, in the light of what exist elsewhere. It is a joy to now cruise along the Isheri-Igando-Iyana Iba road and pure ecstasy to drive on the Igbo-Elerin revamped by-pass to and from the Badagry Expressway. When would these be replicated all over Lagos so that the government can beat its chest and throw a challenge to the Federal Government to learn from the masters; the art of being focused and to tackle the power problem the same way and manner? Being the acclaimed commercial nerve centre of the whole country, Lagos serves as a magnetic force for every business-minded persons; individual and corporate, who have goods and services to offer. This brings us to the other type of sabotage being perpetuated on the roads. Craters often magically appear overnight on a stretch of road which were not visible the previous night. Visions of possessed personages armed with diggers and shovels feverishly digging potholes when other mortals sleep are not hard to imagine, but no other rational explanation exists to justify the appearances of potholes and gullies which due to heavy traffic on these few roads become manholes and ditches within hours. The theory has been advanced that some special forces units of the uncoordinated army of traders, vendors, hawkers doing brisk businesses on these roads are responsible for furiously digging most of the pot holes found on very busy roads when we are not looking. What could be responsible to the extreme dedication these folks would go too to ensure that the buyers have access to their goods and services notwithstanding any challenge? What extreme dedication to business would make a clique to override other considerations in the bid to ensure and engender a very sustainable business environment?
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