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Key developments
Independence bridge gridlock
Traffic frustration: Thousands of residents were trapped in an interminable gridlock in the Victoria Island axis on Wednesday due to the closure of Independence bridge for repairs. The Federal Minister of Works, David Umahi, ordered the bridge to be re-opened but Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the bridge is scheduled to be closed for the next two to three weeks, as the infrastructure requires critical repairs.
Taking responsibility: During an inspection of the bridge on Thursday, Governor Sanwo-Olu took responsibility for Wednesday’s chaos, describing it as an “unfortunate incident.” However, he urged residents who don’t have urgent business in the Victoria Island axis to prioritise using online services.
Alternative routes: Motorists heading to Victoria Island from Ahmadu Bello Way have been advised to take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, proceed to Falomo Roundabout, and link Obafemi Awolowo Road to access Ring Road.
Keeping Lagos waste-free
Waste to energy: As part of its response to the outcry over Lagos’ sanitation problems, the state’s waste management agency, LAWMA, said a material recovery facility will be set up at Badagry. LAWMA chief, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, also said the Olusosun waste dump will be decommissioned.
Completion date: The state government revealed these plans as early as July 2024 but the timeline for completion is not clear.
Sanitation exercise: The ministry of environment and water resources commenced a clean-up and enforcement operation at the Oja-Oba underbridge in Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island. “These public spaces, meant for free movement and urban order, have been reclaimed to ensure a cleaner and safer environment for all,” commissioner Tokunbo Wahab said.
Peace Estate: In a fiery exchange with commissioner Wahab over waste collection in a residential area in Ayobo-Ipaja, governorship aspirant Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, urged the state government to view waste collection as a basic, essential public service and not an avenue to “pursue profit maximisation.”
Update on local council elections
No timetable yet: The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) is expected to conduct local government elections across the state’s 57 local councils this year. However, LASIEC is yet to release an election time-table, according to checks on its website.
Checking precedence: However, a former majority leader of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government legislative house, Seyi Jaiyesimi Olaoluwa, noted that the timetable for the last round of elections, held in July 2021, was released on April 21.
Around Lagos and beyond
Health insurance: Rhodes-Vivour said the Sanwo-Olu administration is disconnected “from the economic realities facing most Lagosians” for demanding residents pay a N15,000 monthly contribution to a health insurance scheme
Traffic safety: The commissioner for transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said speed limit devices have been installed on Alapere road and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.
Apology letters: Three House of Assembly workers have apologised for assaulting DSS operatives during the recent leadership crisis that rocked the legislative body.
Lives lived: TechCabal profiled Bumpa’s chief technical officer, Adetunji ‘Teejay’ Opayele, who died from injuries he sustained from a ghastly accident along Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island. The driver of the car involved in the accident has been arraigned for “reckless and careless” driving.
Equinix moves: The American multinational company said it has launched another data center in Lagos called LG2.3. “Lagos is fast becoming Africa’s second-largest data center hub, trailing only Johannesburg, South Africa,” Condia reported.
Fire on water: A boat caught fire at the Ipakodo Terminal in Ikorodu, the state’s ferry service, LAGFERRY, said. All 19 passengers on board were rescued alive, although some sustained burn injuries.
Big story
Ikeja Record launches #CleanUpLagos campaign
This week, the Ikeja Record editorial board announces the #CleanUpLagos campaign, designed to create an evolving list of dirty spots across Lagos.
Lagos does not stink. Lagos is dirty. There’s a difference.
Lagos stinks suggests Lagos can never become clean. You cannot see a stink. You cannot touch it. Yes, you can smell it but who is a judge of how a place should smell? No city in the world smells like perfume. ‘Lagos stinks’ offers no real solution.
Say Lagos is dirty. This suggests something tangible. Something we can all do something about. Dirt is a proper noun. Dirt is the plastic that clogs our waterways. Dirt is the bags of refuse on the street that Lawma has failed to pick up. Dirt is the pure water sachet you threw out of your car. Dirt is real, a thing you can see and touch. Dirt is an objective reality. Dirt is something we can fix.
What does this mean in practice? When you criticize sanitation in Lagos, provide concrete examples, not blanket statements.
For example, in April, we published a video about the dirty state of the McGregor channel in Obalende. A few days later, the state government moved in to clear the waste.
Language matters. How we describe our problems matter. Lagos does not stink. It is dirty. And we can fix it.
This is why we are launching the #CleanUpLagos campaign. Take pictures of dirty places in Lagos and use the #CleanUpLagos hashtag.
Tag us and our team of reporters will verify and add it to our evolving list of dirty spots in Lagos.
Some members of the Ikeja Record community have already sent us videos, which we will post across our social media channels to raise awareness.
The goal is to prompt the government, both at the state and local levels to respond.
We will also report improvements in these dirty spots as they occur.
Let’s #CleanUpLagos one photo at a time.
Top recommendations
Seeking justice: For NPR, Emmanuel Akinwotu reported on how thousands of people along the Lagos coastline have been evicted to make way for luxury developments.
Traffic update: Channels Television’s Olu Phillips reported live Independence bridge, a day after the bridge’s closure led to a frustrating gridlock for thousands of Lagosians.
Spicy Lagos: Popular Youtuber Davidsbeenhere visited Lagos and tried iconic local dishes while stopping at major cultural spots such as the Fela Shrine.
What to do this weekend
Friday joy: Gameland is hosting “a night of ultimate games” this evening at the Lekki Colliseum.
Bold theatre: Throne Room, a satirical and witty play that critiques how Nigerians interact with religion, is showing at Terra Kulture from Saturday.
Quiet enjoyment: House of Oni is organising a silent picnic at Eagle Club Field in Surulere.
Pick of the jobs
- CrossBoundary Energy, Assistant ESG Officer. Salary: Unknown. Experience: Entry level
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Analyst Banker. Salary: Unknown. Experience: Entry level with some experience
- Heifer International, Manager, People Business Processes, Reward and Employee Relations, Africa. Salary: Unknown. Experience: Managerial level
11
The number of local governments, the Purple Line is expected to pass through, according to the state’s transport authority, LAMATA. This week, LAMATA officials met with some stakeholders to discuss the project’s alignment and potential impacts.
Photo of the week
Repairs ongoing at the Independence bridge in Victoria Island. Credit: The Lagos state government.
Coming up
- 11-13 April: Lagos Tourism NBC Trade Fair, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
What’s new on Ikeja Record?
- The Ikeja Record community members shared how Lagos can solve its sanitation problem.
- We produced a video explainer on what led to the Independence bridge gridlock.
Ten Things on the Record is edited by Solomon Elusoji. Sign up for free here.