Maryland interchange project: CITAB advocates for accessibility prior to approval

The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has requested that the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) immediately pause all final contract approvals for the Maryland Interchange project until a comprehensive Universal Design Audit is completed and applied.

This statement was made in a press release released today in Lagos and signed by CITAB’s Executive Chairman, Jolomi George Fenemigho, who voiced serious concerns about the marginalization of the rights and needs of blind and visually impaired individuals in this significant public infrastructure initiative.

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Fenemigho emphasized, “The laws regarding accessibility in Nigeria are very clear. The Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018 and the Lagos State Special People’s Law of 2011 mandate that public roads and facilities must be accessible for all. Approving public works that do not include essential features like standardized tactile paving, audible pedestrian signals, and universal design elements for individuals with disabilities is both illegal and unfair. Yet, each year, we witness large projects that blatantly disregard these requirements.”

CITAB pointed out that the Maryland Interchange, which is progressing with international funding, risks perpetuating past injustices in Lagos wherein accessibility is often treated as a secondary concern rather than a legal and moral responsibility.

Fenemigho insisted, “We will not be overlooked as users of a multi-million-dollar facility. Nigerian law mandates that accessible features are obligatory, not optional. Any public infrastructure contract that fails to incorporate these features is not only a betrayal of disabled individuals in Lagos but also a violation of the law. International partners like AFD should not support discriminatory practices; LAMATA must ensure that this project is genuinely inclusive from the outset.”

CITAB demands that the government and contractors implement the following requirements for the Maryland Interchange project:
– The permanent installation of standardized tactile paving at all sidewalks, bus stops, pedestrian crossings, and access roads
– Audible pedestrian signals at every crossing point
– A universal design approach, ensuring all facilities are usable by every Lagosian, regardless of their abilities

Both Section 4 of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and Sections 24 and 25 of the Lagos State Special People’s Law outline these requirements and enforce compliance. CITAB stresses that neglecting these laws is not merely a technical oversight; it is a violation of the dignity, safety, and independence of thousands of citizens.

Fenemigho added, “We do not seek charity or preferential treatment, only what the law guarantees: a city where everyone can navigate freely, safely, and with dignity. If the government and its collaborators do not fulfill these legal obligations, any contract signed is not only unenforceable but morally indefensible.”

CITAB calls on all disability rights advocates, civil society organizations, and the public to unite in demanding that no further funding or construction occur until true accessibility is assured and verified. It is time for Lagos to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity and adhere to both its laws and international obligations.