It is possible that Babatunde Fashola, tow time former governor of Lagos State and now honorable minister for Works may have been the fans favorite especially for his construction of the famous Admiralty-Lekki linkway in Ikoyi; it is also possible that Nigerians may not have held him responsible for the epileptic power supply currently the bane of the country for which they had lampooned ex-president Jonathan; but for his glaring mishandling of the notorious Mararaba-Nyanya highway, it is doubtful if he can escape blame; here, he is completely lost in action!
This road which serves as a major gateway to some northern States and home to the majority of Federal Capital satellite towns is such in a sorry state that many wonder what exactly his responsibilities as a minister are!. The reason is apparent; the highway has become hellish to motorists and commuters causing discomfort and stress to thousands of civil servants that live and work around the satellite towns surrounding the environment. The people are left in quandary—constantly fearful of the gridlock that is regularly the metaphor of the road. Travelers grit their teeth, hold their breath as they engage the notorious logjam that is certain to confront them; as expected, stubborn and frustrated motorists would cash in on the confusion to drive recklessly, sometimes resulting in terrible accidents.
The unpredictable impasse has claimed several lives and breakdown of vehicles as a result of overheating of engines. This meltdown has been the regular feature on this major highway and for several years has been largely ignored by visionless administrations. Yet, the paradox is that the very same government would go on to invest in diversionary ventures in far-flung places such as the Niger Republic. “We hear that government plans to borrow billions and spend in other places, but this one that touches the nerve center of those closest to them is abandoned”, regretted a motorist who was encountered.
Now, although action has begun to expand the road to 8 lanes, the contractor handling the project is painfully slow and disgusting. “They come with their equipment and dig a portion or stretch for two months and then vanish for another two months”, disclosed a resident of Mararaba. “We don’t know what to do,” said another who resides in Nyanya. The blame is however put squarely on the doorstep of Babatunde Fashola who residents and travelers believe lacks the barest ideas of what to do to lessen the plight. “A minister who is visionary would have constructed an alternative way through the mountains or other visible outlets”, said Christopher Amuda a taxi driver.
He believes that a minister who has vision would have done something extra-ordinary by now. “This is the sixth year of this government and they claim they know what they are doing”, said Mr. Chris. “I watch Chinese documentaries and see what their government does with time and money; but here, it is the opposite, mainly election, appointment, dismissal, and probe they conduct”, he narrated. “I think the minister should resign and leave because he has failed and there is no need for his continued stay in office “, he added. The terrible pain and discomfort are best imagined. Nothing depicts the government’s poor vision and planning than this unnecessary distraction. “It is not down to government bureaucracy or whatever; they know what they are doing”, explained one Sunday Adamu who describes himself as a trader residing in Karshi. “El-Rufai was the one who opened up the new Asokoro and built up alternative roads to the Abacha barracks”, he stated explaining that if he was still a minister in the Federal Capital, he would have found a way out of this madness.
Mr. Sunday said he doesn’t want to comment on Muhammed Bello, who is better known as an absentee minister! In addition, the National Assembly Committee’s in charge of works have suddenly lost their appetite to perform their oft rehash “oversight” functions “. “There is no bribe to collect on this road, that’s why they have gone AWOL”, explained Sunday Adamu. Right or wrong, government officials easily allow Nigerians to latch in on their incredible indolence displayed while in office.
This exactly describes the irony of the All Progressive Congress party of Nigeria. As of the moment, the thousands of civil servants who live in these places pray for miracles, sing and wail to God for their government to listen; instead their pleas fall on deaf ears. “Government business has become personal with anyone with connections getting the biggest cake; now they are preparing for 2023”, decried Sanni Abdullah also a resident of Nyanya. And if there is anything to show that prayers are slow to be answered, it is here—the mess in Mararaba-Nyanya highway—and this is too bad for Babatunde Fashola—who must take the lion share for failing to live up to expectations.
