It took Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to unfold a plan to light up the entire stretch of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The governor, who was on Splash FM radio station last week disclosed that he was already discussing with the Chief Executives of Lagos and Ogun states to light up the 120-kilometre road in the interest of the people.

If this is accomplished in good time, it would improve safety along the corridor, as many motorists end up by the road side, given poor visibility at night. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) had said many times that the road that has been under construction for about two decades is the busiest in the country.

Security, too, would receive a boost when the road is lit up. Many passengers are kidnapped at night, while it also serves as a get-away route for those unlucky to be abducted from any of the three states. Although kidnappers are known to have sometimes struck in broad daylight, the incidence would be reduced when the road is lit up as the security agents are likely to step up their activities at night under the proposed scheme.

One positive development when the programme takes off is that it would promote cooperation among the states. We hope all the states would be equally committed to the plan. As Governor Makinde pointed out, the burden is unlikely to be borne equally as Lagos territory terminates shortly after the Berger Bridge, with Ogun taking off from there up to Onigaari. Oyo then takes off from there. Besides, the Oyo State governor has only broached the plan with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It’s not certain Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun would see it as a priority.

We enjoin the states to bring the Federal Government on board since it is a Trunk A road. Where possible, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing should be committed to making a refund of whatever would have been spent by the states.

It is unfortunate that the original design and contract did not incorporate the new plan. We call on the collaborating governors to make full disclosure of the cost implication. From the start of execution of the project, the Nigeria Police Force should be fully involved as highway robbers and thieves are known to regularly strike, carting away cables and other electric materials.

This should be seen as building blocks for regional cooperation in the Southwest. The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) could benefit from such socio-economic programmes involving Ondo-Ekiti, Oyo-Osun, and Lagos-Ogun states.

Other regions in the country could borrow such ideas that could catalyse development. Nigeria has been promoting the need for a Trans-Sahara Highway across the African continent for some years, while failing to construct an ultra-modern highway in the country. Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is where to start, with facilities such as clinics, inns, restaurants and electricity. The governors should meet soon after the general elections, and call for bids with a view to speeding up the work.

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