Kunle Adelabu
Residents in over 100 communities along the Igbogbo – Bola Ahmed Tinubu Way – Oreyo – Afa River Valley – Igbe Laara – Ginti road in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, seems to have been totally fed up with the abandoned road projects and its attendant problems which have become daily nightmare.
The important road links the six council areas (one Local Government and five LCDAs) in the division, together.
The road project, which started about seven years ago, during the administration of Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is yet to attain 50% completion. Moreso, it has caused thousands of residents in the council and other road users untoward hardship, and there is no sign that the government is mobilsing the contractor, HiTech Construction Limited, back to site any time soon.
Before the commencement of the project in 2017, a massive demolition of buildings was embarked upon by the government in lgbogbo, to create right of way, while two years was set as the completion period. Despite promises by the government to pay compensation for the demolition exercise, many residents whose houses and other properties were affected, are yet to receive compensation.
Meanwhile, as way of reflecting their grivances as they could no longer bear the sufferings being inflicted on them by the project, residents have started mobilizing themselves for action to finally call the government attention to their plights and to achieve this, a platform known as ‘Ebute – Igbogbo – Bola Ahmed –Igbe Laara – Gintin Road Volunteer Group’, has been formed.
The volunteer group is embarking on mass mobilization to ensure that the Lagos State Government expedite action on the construction works as soon as possible, towards the completion of the road, after several efforts by the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo and his chiefs, as well as Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), different groups and individuals, to achieve same purpose, came to nought.
Mr Adewale Oba Akinrotimi, one of the conveners of the group which has now attracted almost 1000 participants, speaking on the need to mobilise the community on the platform, said that the group was conceived to put pressure on the government to complete the road project.
“The purpose of creating this platform is basically to organize ourselves and serve as pressure group, in order to put pressure on the Lagos State government, in respect of our Igbogbo – Igbe road reconstruction in Ikorodu LGA, that was flagged off in November 2017, by former Gov Akinwunmi Ambode”, he said.
“Recall that the road has a completion period of 2 years, which means that the road should have been fully completed by November 2019. (IF IT HASN’T BEEN COMPLETED ON PAPER).
“The construction of the road has witnessed very slow pace since flag off, and this has crumbled the economies of several communities and adjoining communities along this important corridor”.
The convener, who said that other roads that were flagged off after the road, have been completed, while also stating that it is important for residents to make their voices heard loudly by the government.
“Oba Sekumade Road and Ijede road (Phase 1) in the same Ikorodu LGA, that were flagged off long after Igbogbo – Igbe road, had been completed. There’s a Yoruba adage that says, “Eni to ba d’ake, ti e a ba d’ake” (Someone should please assist in translation to English)”, he said.
“It is,therefore, necessary that we don’t fold our hands and watch the slow pace of the reconstruction of the road”.
Another resident, Mr Seamanship said that residents along the axis have been unable to venture out due to the bad state of the road. He queried if the communities along the corridor are not part of the state, deserving attention.
“We are in a total state of total dilemma for God’s sake. We’ve been indoors for some days now because we could not go out for several reasons, i.e medically or to have a hassle for the day. And people cannot come in to see their families and for businesses”, he said.
“Is Ebute- Igbogbo- Bola Ahmed Tunubu- Igbe Laara- Gintin road no longer part of Lagos State of Nigeria? Or should we call this a disregard, neglect or disrespect from the government and leaders who are meant to serve us and give us a good life. How long shall we be in this state? If we don’t express our feelings, these people will not know”, he asked.
“We need to let them know that we are in serious pains. I almost broke my leg on that muddy hill when I was on a bike. This road is really affecting us and we can’t continue this way….”.
Another resident, Mr Tbac condemned the neglect of the area, and called on leaders to join hands with the residents in getting the needed government’s attention for quick completion of the road project.
“It’s unimaginable that who’s who are less worried about this road. Awa lo kan, o tii kan wa. Igbe Laara-Afa-Ebute road needs attention ooo! Our political leaders and fathers, we are appealing to you to speak out and push all the pushables. Enough of these menaces. All our vehicles are no longer road worthy, yet, we pay for road worthy certificate….. Please, let’s make some noise about this ooo!”, he lamented.
Ayodele Olayinka from Ginti community, said that residents of the affected areas, are not doing enough to attract the attention of the government’s attention to their plights.
“I sense that (the project will be abandoned) when I came across the company (HiTech) at the Ebute police post, moving their equipment few months ago…”.
“It’s because our community residents are not too proactive enough…
“This time, we need decisive actions, if not, we would be here for longer years!!!”
Meanwhile, some of the residents are calling on the group to mobilise the community towards doing palliative on the road.
It would be recalled that the Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), led by Comrade Kazeem Ogunmyiwa, toured different sections of the road and also organised a press conference to call the attention of Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, to the plights of the residents.
