Kunle Adelabu
-Urge development of markets, garages, other facilities
Residents of Ikorodu Division in Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have, again, called on the state government to pay attention to infrastructural developments in the division, especially in the areas of markets, garages and road infrastructures.
Concerned residents said that the government’s attention is necessary more than before because of the population explosion that the third largest city in Southwest and 12th in the country, is currently experiencing with attendant traffic caused by many factors.
The city, which is made up of the old Ikorodu Local Government (Ikorodu Central LG) which is the headquarters, and five Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) – Ikorodu West, Ikorodu North, lgbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede and Imota LCDAs.
The Guinness Book of World Record holder in Marathon Read Aloud Attempts in both individual and group categories, Mr Bayode Treasures Olawunmi, who brought the issue that has been reoccurring on THE IMPACT WhatsApp platform, had called out the Chairman, Ikorodu Local government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, on the chaotic situation at the Ikorodu garage roundabout.
The issue generated further reactions from other residents, some of whom commended the Lagos State and most especially, the representative of the Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, for the infrastructural developments in Ikorodu. He,however, called on the government to do more.
“Is Ikorodu roundabout a motor garage, a drive-through, or a market? This is a question begging for answers. @Hon Adeshina we need your response to this, please”, Bayode, who is an active participant on THE IMPACT WhatsApp Chat Platform, asked rhetorically while calling out the council chairman who is also a participant on the platform.
Ganiu Hameed, a chieftain of the Ikorodu Division Youth Initiatives (IDYI) who came to the chairman’s rescue, said that the management of the situation at the garage is beyond what the council can do.
“This is beyond @Hon Adeshina, the state Government needs to get something done about that place”, he reacted.
Meanwhile, Comrade Abubakri Asoro, Coordinator, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), also raised similar issue which residents are encountering on daily basis at the Agric in Ikorodu West LCDA and was of the opinion that market leaders in the axis should be held responsible.
He said that some people are resisting relocation to the market stall constructed, adding that BRT buses are also dropping passengers at undesignated bus stops instead of the terminal created.
“This situation is becoming a problem even in Agric. It’s sometimes difficult for cars to move, not to talk of those on foot. I think the ‘Iya Olojas’ (women market leaders) should be held responsible by the government. If they can collect levies, they should also be able to enforce restrictions on traders, a highway is not a marketplace. There has to be orderliness”, he said.
“There are people’s resistance to plans on how to make that market and even the BRT bus stop work. Passengers, who are potential customers of the market don’t drop at that BRT bus stop, but at the market. Even the BRT buses have recently stopped dropping passengers at the BRT designated bus stop, they now stop at the main junction.
“The resistance is not unconnected with the fact that the BRT bus stop itself is a bit far from Agric junction.
He charged that the state government must have a deliberate plan to take care of the increasing population in Ikorodu.
“There has to be a concrete plan to accommodate the population explosion. The Ministry of Transportation made some demolitions recently, and reclaimed the land at Agric, that should be used for market and garage”, he suggested.
“The state government must begin to see Ikorodu as another window to measure the state performance in terms of infrastructure. The population has electoral value and should be compensated with infrastructures. The state government is doing well, but the population explosion is asking for more.
“We must commend @Rep JB and others for complementing the infrastructural drive”, he added.
A former House of Representatives aspirant, Mr Owolabi Anifowoshe, also was of the view that Ikorodu garage and Agric bus stop are disorderly because of lack of enforcements.
He suggested that alternative roads should be constructed to the market to drive residents there and discourage hawkers displaying their wares on the road.
“Enforce orderliness, that part of lkorodu is too chaotic my brother. Ironically, there’s an empty market built by the pedestrian bridge at Agric bus stop. I think the market needs an accessible road to the Agric bus stop to attract vendors and customers.
“The market is almost below the road, but it can be fixed, and human traffic can be strategically directed to the market… A link road to adjoining street, bus stop, and other incentives to discourage the lawlessness being displayed at the agric street.
“People do ten to 20minutes walk away from bus stops in the UK and other saner climes…..”, he adedd.
He also called for the construction of a mall, development of waterfront recreational facilities and more parks in Ikorodu.
Anifowoshe, while also adding that major infrastructures that the government is embarking upon are slow, stating that there is need to accelerate completion for the projects.
“Ikorodu division needs a conscious and deliberate attention from the state government….An aggressive infrastructural development drive at that.
“The major road infrastructures under construction have been at a slow pace compared to other places; Ijede/Itamaga didn’t get to Ijede, Agric/Agbede/Isawo is been at slow pace, Ebute/Igbogbo/Igbe Laara road is 6 years old without completion.
Mr OlaOluwa Godwin Oke, the Secretary, Ikorodu Division Economic Forum, also stated that Ikorodu is having a huge population, while he also called for adequate garages, markets and other infrastructures.
“It is as a result of inadequate infrastructure to cater for a fast rising population in a Lagos sub-urban community. No garages for cars to park, no provision of adequate spaces for open markets”, he said.
“We need at least three markets of Sabo’s standard presently.
“Ikorodu is not getting the deserving attention from the state government. No matter how we twist the narrative, it is a statement of fact. The state government is not doing enough”, he emphasized.
A lecturer and public commentator, Mr Hassan Ekundayo, attributed the flagrant disobedience against the Environmental Law on the part of traders to payment of levies to the Council.
“The truth of the matter is that people pay a “levy” to be selling on the road. That is why they’ve the boldness to compete with the pedestrians and motorists”.
“I was at Ibadan recently, I found out that the usual traffic around the challenge is no longer there. The state government built a central motor park for all vehicles.
“Ikorodu is too big not to have a central motor park”, he said.
Mr Adedoyin Jokotex, a young grassroots mobiliser and PSP operator, also contributing, said:
“Ikorodu is extremely due for a well located motor park considering the exponential increase in population. The government must do everything within its reach to address the situation or else, it might worsen in few years regardless of whatever the expansion of road done by the government”, he said.
“And street trading and hawking on the pedestrians lane and equally at night, people just disposed their waste on the road without any caution. The unlawful act is a serious concern and poses a public health threat to the citizens.
Former Special Adviser, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, in his own contribution, commended Rep. Benson on facilitation of infrastructures.
“Hon. Jimi Benson has created a quality and quantum performance in his representation that may be difficult to beat by whoever comes after him…..”, he said.
