One of the importances of bridge construction is to ease vehicular movement, decongest traffic and help connectivity of communities, towns, cities or even states. This has become one of the hallmarks of thriving cities across the globe. In New York, Johannesburg, Singapore, Beijing, London, Abuja, Akwa-Ibom and Lagos you will find different constructions of architectural designs that are unique to the landscape and topography of each city. These are cities that economic activities not only thrive but boom. Benin, one of the most renown cities in Nigeria even before the advent of colonialism was way ahead of many of the afore mentioned modern cities of the world dating back to the 15th century when it was compared to the city of Rome by the Portuguese explorers who had earliest contact with the Benin Kingdom. Today, as it stands, there is nothing much to write about the infrastructural development of the city neither does it compare with it counterpart cities in Nigeria.Recently, last Saturday August 17, 2024 precisely, the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned the Mushin flyover, the last of the five over passes built along the Red Line corridor. Although this project began under the Administration of the past governor, Mr. Akinkunmi Ambode, the vision is being implemented to the letter by the current administration, a testament of a working state and a developing city. The Lagos state government had some years ago opened the four other bridges in Yaba, Oyingbo, Ikeja and Agege to create new connectivity along the Red Line corridor.
If Lagos, already known to be a city of bridges decades ago is still building new ones, why is Edo state that doesn’t have a single one in the heart of Benin City seems to be comfortable with it bridgeless state with heavy traffic becoming a menace in the city. What is the government of the state doing concerning the increasing human and vehicular activities in the city leading to the traffic congestions being witnessed in the state on daily basis? Does the state topography forbids bridge construction or the government does not see the need for such? Someone needs to help wake the government of Edo state up to the reality of such infrastructural needs even if not necessarily for the now but for tomorrow. ‘Rome,’ they say ‘was not built in a day.’ The building of critical infrastructures in Edo state and especially the Capital city must begin now as there is no substitute for adequate planning and development. Politically, Edo may not be Lagos but Developmentally, Edo must be Lagos.Harrison Edobor is a journalist and writes from Lagos.
