Infrastructure development is the construction of basic foundational services in order to stimulate economic growth and quality of life improvement. Most advanced economies have gone through periods of intensive infrastructure building that have improved efficiency and competitiveness of the society.
Like elsewhere, Infrastructure development is crucial for Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly for the achievement of Lagos state’s economic agenda. As Nigeria’s population increases, demand for road transportation by Nigerians continues to grow, particularly in cities. Lagos, most populous state in the country, with an estimated population of 22 million people and counting, is the worst for traffic. A CNN report in 2019 indicated that Lagos is Africa’s fifth largest economy and one of the most congested cities in the world. Approximately 40% of cars in Nigeria are registered in Lagos and the government’s inadequacies to address major transportation issues put the congestion burden squarely on Lagos residents. The loss of productivity hours, long commuting to work, reduced leisure time, added fuel expenses, and higher vehicle emissions have negative impact on both physical and mental health of residents.
To address the mounting transportation issues in Lagos state, the question then arises as to which arm of government is responsible for identifying road infrastructural needs of the people in the state. Traditionally, the executive is responsible for policy making and implementation, while the legislature makes the laws, from which the policies are derived, as well as supervises implementation of those policies. Until recently, the executive had been solely responsible for initiation of road projects and this was partly responsible for infrastructural deficits in the state. At the time, most of the projects embarked upon by the executive were at variance with the actual needs of the constituents.
In addressing this lacuna, the Lagos State House of Assembly established a systemic framework called Constituency Stakeholders Meeting to aggregate inputs from the constituents on their infrastructural needs for onward transmission to the executive for inclusion in the budget and subsequent implementation. It is believed that state legislators are closer to the people and should be able to know better their constituents’ needs than other arms. This realization has deepened collaboration between the legislature and the executive in Lagos state, especially in the areas of project initiation and implementation.
Therefore, realizing the critical need to address the daunting challenge of huge traffic burden in Lagos state, towards acceleration of economic development through infrastructural renewal and development and make life more meaningful to Commuters, the Lagos State House Of Assembly through its speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa ingeniously conceived and facilitated the construction of Agege Pencinema Flyover. The bridge is a dual-carriage overpass, 1.4km long with two lanes of 3.65m width each. The bridge alignment is along Agunbiade Street (along Oke-Koto junction) and spans across the intersections of Old Abeokuta Road, Railway Corridor and Iju-Isaga Road and terminates near the entrance gate of Ijaiye Low-Cost Housing Estate along Oba-Ogunji Road. The Flyover is also designed to convey traffic from Oba-Ogunji Road onto Old Abeokuta towards Abule Egba through a ramp across Railway Corridor.
There is no denying the fact that the construction of the bridge has brought an end to discomfort previously experienced by motorists plying Agege-Abule Egba. Prior to the construction of the flyover, the increase in traffic volume across this critical business hub and the resultant congestion was a serious challenge to residents and commuters who daily ply the axis for businesses.
As part of efforts to eliminate gridlocks on major roads around the axis, the leadership of the House, in concert with the executive, identified for reconstruction works some major arterial roads with good connectivity to adjoining roads that could serve as alternative bypasses to other arterial roads, especially during peak traffic periods, thus helping to free up more traffic. The conception of this bridge and its eventual construction has tremendously achieved preconceived targets of reducing travel time and save important man-hours that would have been otherwise lost to traffic. As a matter of fact, the bridge has improved vehicular movement and traffic flow in the area with the attendant positive impact on businesses and general wellbeing of commuters in the state.
At the commissioning of the bridge on Friday, 5th March, 2021, Governor of the state, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu and the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, with other notable dignitaries, including APC party chieftains and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu were all present at the occasion.
Speaking at the commissioning, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that government was aware of challenges facing residents. According to him, residents and road users along the axis had clamoured for a solution to the suffocating nature of the perennial gridlock occasioned by the huge human and vehicular traffic, flowing through the intersection. He added that Agege Pen Cinema Bridge was government’s pragmatic approach to achieving the Transportation and Traffic Management Pillar (T) in its strategic THEMES Agenda. The Governor in his speech further underlined that the government deployed a two-pronged approach to infrastructure delivery, so as to bring immediate impactful succour and relief to commuters, in line with the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
In his words, the Governor said, ‘We prioritise the continuation of strategic ongoing roads and link bridges, as well as the development of new roads. We also listed many roads for urgent maintenance, and continue with the provision of ongoing strategic offices and public buildings.’
The Speaker of the House, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, while speaking at the commissioning event recalled how he first moved the motion on the floor of the House, before he became speaker, on the need to construct flyover at the corridor to address critical challenges being experienced on daily basis by residents/road users along the axis over the years due to geometric increase in traffic volume. The motion was reintroduced in the 8th Assembly and following its reintroduction, the project was supported by the executive and added in the budget for implementation.
Mr. Speaker was enthused by the display of camaraderie between the legislature and the executive in the state, especially on the accelerated completion of the Agege Pencinema bridge project by Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu. In his words, Mr Speaker said, ‘This shows collaboration and strong relationship between the executive and the legislature in Lagos state. We recognize the doctrine of separation of powers but it is not the end if there is no collaboration among the arms of government. We enjoy the cordial relationship between the House and the executive and this has brought employment and development to the state.’
A significant outcome emanating from the strategic execution of the Pen Cinema Flyover Project is that it demonstrates synergy between the executive and the legislature, as well as the topmost priority that the current administration accords to the welfare and well-being of the people.