Speeches

Commissioning Of New Plants And Equipment Of The Lagos State Public Works Corporation

Nov 11, 2010 - I am indeed happy to be at this occasion which is yet another opportunity for this government to demonstrate its renewed commitment to overhauling the state's machinery for road maintenance and rehabilitation.

I have said repeatedly that easy movement of persons and goods within and around the state remains central to the deliverables required for the mega city project to take its proper shape.

Our strategy as a government is to complement the massive on-going road construction work in various parts of the state with commensurable routine repair and maintenance exercise. We believe that this is not negotiable if we must make life really meaningful for the teeming populace of Lagos.

Before I go further, let me put on record that I and my colleagues in the State Executive Council have been particularly worried about the extent to which Lagos roads have been damaged in the past months.

Due to the importance of this issue, we have had course to dedicate a couple of our meetings to consider and explore on the ways out with the Executive Chairman of this establishment who was also not only in attendance but made presentations.

This afforded us the opportunity of once again bringing to the front burner, major issues associated with frequent distresses and damage on roads such as the high water table in many parts of the state, dumping of refuse in drains, indiscriminate road cutting, burst pipes, petroleum product spillages axle load of trailers and lorries and other factors which best put, are generally man made.

We have come to terms with the imperativeness of better and steady funding for the Public Works Corporation, such that its operations can assume a non–stop dimension henceforth. It is worthy of note however that the legislative arm has indicated its commitment to this new thinking as demonstrated by its recent action of increasing the allocation for the Corporation by 50% for the 2010 supplementary budget.

The items being commissioned today only represents a tip of the iceberg in terms of the investment we are prepared to make towards ensuring that Lagos roads remain in good condition all year round.

They include 10 Tractors with tipping trailers, 13 Double Cabin Pick-ups, Asphalt Cutters with Blades, Paver, 6 Rollers, Grader, Wheel loader and bulldozer. I am aware that a Low Bed with Head, Hyab, Hand Held Rollers and Flood Lights are awaiting delivery while signs of adherence to health and safety standards are already manifesting with the use of Safety Cones, Caution Tapes, Reflective Chevrons, Flashing Lights, Nose Masks, Hand Gloves, Hard Hats, Safety Boots and the bright Yellow UniformS.

There is an on-going effort to revitalize the Public Works Corporation and empower it to function at a level comparable to leading road maintenance agencies around the world. This informed the recent change at top management level, culminating in the appointment of Mr. Gbenga Akintola as the Executive Chairman.

In spite of the current state of the roads, I am confident that this Corporation is building the necessary momentum to rapidly respond to road repair needs of our people. As your Governor, I give you my word that the much needed relief is already in sight.

You may all have been aware that this establishment has existed for about 30 years, even though its nomenclature changed from time to time. Memories if its exploits in the past as a reputable road repair and maintenance agency are still fresh, but it is faced with a more challenging assignment at present, owing to a number of factors.

One of such is the state of disrepair our roads are at the moment. For the people's pain and agony to be ameliorated much more needs be done by the agency. This is moreso as concerted effort is being made to address the prevailing conditions that were responsible for its seeming underperformance.

Secondly, we are repositioning the Corporation to assume a status comparable with similar agencies at global level. This explains why we are determined to continually focus on its operations and assist in every possible way to take it to the desired heights.

The popular cliché is "to whom much is given, much is expected". I therefore challenge the management and entire workforce of this Corporation to put the plants and equipment being showcased today to the best use. I can assure that your other needs are being looked into and you will see in due course the outcome of our considerations.

As you may have noticed, the Corporation recently introduced the use of interlocking paving stories to its road repair methodology. This was one of the lessons taught by the unusually heavy downpour experienced this year which prompted the palliative measures embarked upon in the month of July.

This new method has proven to be ideal for water prone areas or portions of the road with peculiar drain challenges. Besides, it is compatible to rainy season when asphalt production or application might be almost impossible. This initiative is quite commendable.

To the good people of Lagos, I appreciate your understanding and co-operation so far. With what we are witnessing today, we all can definitely look forward to a better Lagos where roads are well maintained all year round.

Finally, my appeal goes once again to all Lagosians that we should consider the roads as our personal and collective heritage which we have individual duty to protect and preserve. It is only this that can guarantee that roads will be the way we all can be proud of. Our maintenance effort must necessarily be complemented by positive attitude of the people.

If we continue to see roads as refuse dumps, let sewage water flow into the road, cut roads indiscriminately, spill petroleum products on roads or burn tires and other items on the roads, and we fail to check the menace of axle load of containers, articulated lorries, trailers and tankers, we will remain far from keeping roads in good condition and consequently reduce the investment of our hard earned tax on road maintenance to a huge waste.

The roads do not belong to Government. They belong to all of us. We must protect them as we protect those things we value.

I once again congratulate the Lagos State Public Works Corporation on this step in the right direction and will like to remind you that all eyes are now on you in turning around the situation on Lagos roads for better.

I thank you all for listening.

Eko o ni baje o

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State