Lower than 24 hours after broadcast journalist Deji Bademosi erected a billboard to spotlight a lethal open manhole alongside the Ikeja axis resulting in Murtala Muhammed Worldwide Airport, the Lagos State Authorities deployed officers to cowl the hazard.
In an up to date video posted on his Fb web page on Sunday, Mr Badmus acknowledged that the administration of Babajide Sanwo-Olu has deployed the workers of Lagos State Public Works Company (LSPWC) to repair the manhole.
“I’m again on the spot to present an replace. Lower than 24 hours after we put out that signal, the Lagos State Authorities has deployed its officers—doubtless from the general public works—to cowl the manhole. As you’ll be able to see behind me, the manhole is being coated.”
He praised the swift response, calling it the type of fast motion residents ought to count on.
He additionally urged the state authorities to take related steps throughout the town, highlighting that many uncovered manholes proceed to hazard motorists.
“There are a number of uncovered manholes throughout the town. I hope the state authorities can even react to cowl all these different manholes. The federal government ought to most likely declare an operation to repair all of the open manholes within the metropolis as a result of they’re very harmful,” he mentioned, exhibiting the depth of the manhole.
The story gained wider consideration after PREMIUM TIMES revealed a report amplifying Mr Badmus’s video and highlighting the general public security threat. The mixed impact of the journalist’s civic motion and media protection seems to have prompted the speedy authorities response, demonstrating how citizen advocacy and reporting can drive accountability in Lagos.
On Saturday, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Badmus erected the billboard to attract the eye of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the hazard. In a video that went viral, the award-winning journalist and founding father of TV360 was seen planting the billboard contained in the uncovered manhole. The signal learn: “Gov Sanwo-Olu repair this open manhole earlier than it takes lives.”
Mr Badmus mentioned he acted after narrowly escaping an accident on the website. He defined that he had initially marked the hazard with a purple fabric for greater than three months, however authorities officers ignored it.
“That manhole has been open for about three months. I virtually had an accident right here, and simply days in the past, there was a horrible crash. Thank God no life was misplaced,” he mentioned.
“It’s surprising that this has been left like this on such a busy street that connects the worldwide and native airports. A number of vehicles have already run into it. It’s a shame for a megacity like Lagos.”
He appealed on to Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene, stressing that no obstacles had been erected to warn motorists.
READ ALSO: Journalist erects billboard to name Sanwo-Olu’s consideration to lethal spot in Lagos
Makes an attempt by PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday to succeed in the Common Supervisor of the LSPWC, Tokunbo Ajanaku, had been unsuccessful as calls to the contact listed on-line went unanswered.
The incident provides to rising considerations over the theft of manhole covers throughout Lagos. In January, the Lagos State Home of Meeting urged the governor to implement environmental legal guidelines towards scavengers chargeable for stealing the covers.
In April, the Lagos Metropolitan Space Transport Authority (LAMATA) announced it had begun changing stolen metallic and fibre composite covers at Bus Fast Transit (BRT) laybys with handled picket alternate options.
The picket covers, which don’t have any scrap worth, are anticipated to scale back theft and enhance security.
LAMATA urged residents to take higher possession of public infrastructure and shield it from vandals.
