Open Manhole Near Lagos Airport Fixed Following Journalist’s Alert

Open Manhole Near Lagos Airport Fixed Following Journalist’s Alert
Relevant agencies were mobilised overnight to address the safety risk.
Deji Badmus drew attention to the hazard by placing a warning sign inside the open manhole on Saturday

The Lagos State Government has carried out emergency repairs on a dangerous open manhole along the Ikeja axis leading to Murtala Muhammed International Airport, less than 24 hours after a public outcry triggered by a viral video.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, who visited the site on Sunday, confirmed that relevant agencies were mobilised overnight to address the safety risk.

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“First, we must commend the concerned citizen who raised the alarm. As soon as it was brought to our attention, we acted immediately. The Lagos State Public Works Corporation, the drainage team, and the General Manager all came here last night. As you can see, work is ongoing,” Daramola said.

He was accompanied by Tokunbo Ajanaku, General Manager of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), and Mahmood Adegbite, Director of Drainage. Daramola also cautioned residents against vandalising roads and misusing public infrastructure.

“We face similar challenges across the state. Recently, manholes were vandalised at the Ogudu Bridge and the Ogudu Link Bridge. While the government will continue to respond swiftly, we must stress that road abuse is a serious offence. Citizens also have a duty to ‘see something, say something’,” he added.

The intervention came after broadcast journalist Deji Badmus drew attention to the hazard by placing a warning sign inside the open manhole on Saturday.

In his viral video, Badmus described the manhole as “a death trap,” narrating how he narrowly avoided an accident there.

“That manhole had been left open for about three months. I almost crashed here, and just a few days ago, another serious accident happened. Several cars have already run into it. It’s shocking that such a danger was ignored on a road linking both the international and local airports,” he lamented.

By Sunday afternoon, Badmus shared an update showing state officials covering the manhole.

“Less than 24 hours after we raised the alarm, the Lagos State Government moved in to fix it. This is the kind of quick response residents expect. However, I hope the authorities will show the same urgency in addressing the numerous other open manholes across the city,” he said.

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