Since the advent of the Action Congress of Nigeria as a formidable political force in south west Nigeria, the governments in the states where it holds sway -Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun and Edo - have been in a frenzied state of competition to show 'action' by embarking on a spate of infrastructure projects. Amongst other complaints, critics have variously referred to the projects as 'political jobbery', 'over-inflated', 'substandard', 'elitist'.
In two of the states, Ogun and Oyo, the governments have completed or are about to complete 'Flyover' construction in Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode and Ibadan. I was in Ijebu Ode in June and was sorely disappointed by the arrangements for diverted traffic for the the Mobalufon flyover construction. It was most unprofessional, almost amateurish to see that no attempt whatsover was made to ensure a reasonable flow of traffic during the period of works. If the shoddy diversions put in place are any measure of 'action', then I have no doubt there are greater flaws hidden in the infrastructure program.
The first one that I note is that there seems to be no regard for the sorrounding areas abutting the Flyover. For instance, the Mobalufon area is an area of Ijebuland reputed as the base of the sawmilling and wood buying and selling sector. It has a long established history steeped in its access to the woodlands of Ijebuland on the Lagos-Benin Expressway corridor popularly known as J4. Clearly, demolition of structures in the Right of Way is permissible but uncoordinated removal of places of historical significance defeats part of the goals of new infrastructure : renewal. Invasive transport projects that remove the lifeblood of communities are not sensible projects.
The 'action' governments of south west Nigeria are urged to take a back step and listen to all stakeholders including professional advisers with an interest in historic preservation and continuity.
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