Lagos govt speaks on fixing open manhole after viral video

The Lagos State Government has initiated repairs on a hazardous open manhole along the Ikeja axis leading to Murtala Muhammed International Airport. This response follows public concern highlighted by a viral video showing the manhole, which had been exposed for approximately three months and posed a danger to motorists. The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, confirmed that government agencies were mobilized overnight to address the issue.

During the site visit on Sunday, Daramola expressed gratitude to a journalist, Deji Badmus, whose efforts, including erecting a billboard in the manhole to call attention to the issue, prompted the government’s swift action. Accompanied by the General Manager of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation and other officials, he reiterated the importance of protecting road infrastructure and the need for public cooperation in reporting similar hazards.

Badmus noted that several accidents had occurred at the site due to the manhole’s neglect, calling for further action to remedy other open manholes across the city. This incident has also reignited discussions on the theft of manhole covers in Lagos, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of existing laws to protect public safety.

• Why it matters:
• This highlights the necessity for timely government action regarding public safety infrastructure.
• Local businesses and commuters depend on well-maintained roads for safe travel, impacting economic activity.
• The latest:
• The repair of the manhole is currently underway, with officials actively working at the site.