Save us from flooding, untimely deaths, Ikorodu residents urge Sanwo-Olu
… as fares increases from N200 to N500
By Abimbola Joseph, LAGOS
CITIZENS COMPASS – FOLLOWING series of hazards icassiined by perrenial flood in Igbo-Olomu, Oke-Oko, Isawo, Arepo and their environs in Isawo, Ikorodu West, Lagos, motorists and residents of the area, have appealed to the Lagos State Government(LASG) to urgently fix the deteriorating condition of Afa bridge and complete the first phase of Agric-Isawo road.
Citizens Compass reports that communities affected include Igbo-Olomu, Oke-Oko, Isawo, Arepo among others.
They made the appeal in an interview with our correspondent who visited the area, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
They urged the government under the able leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to listen to their yearnings of untold hardship on daily basis while using the road.
Mr Abiodun Sunday, General Secretary, Community Development Committee (CDC) Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) called on the state government to as a matter of urgency come to the aid of the people and complete the ongoing road construction since 2017.
Sunday said that the slow pace of work on the road has reduced the social, economic activities causing insecurity where residents no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.
According to him, the major causes of the road is the perennial overflow of Oke-Afa river during the rainy season
“Anytime it rains, commutters using tricyles and motorcycles are forced to disembark and wade through the water after the bridge to get another tricycle at the other end to get to their destinations.
“Fares have also increased to about 200 per cent, initially peope pay between N150 and N200 to get to our destination from Agric bus-stop but now it is N500.
“In adherence to the warnings by Meteorology Agency that there would be more rains this year, I appeal to LASG to urgently complete the road and fix the bridge to reduce the hardship.
” The road from Mile 12, Ikorodu express intersection to Oke-Oko is 7.4 km, 7km is phase 1b which is what is currently being worked on, the 0.4km from Adeola bus stop to the express mile 12 Ikorodu road is yet to be awarded.
“The other lane yet undone is also flooded from Asolo to Adeola bus-stop in Agric and people’s houses are affected too, “he said.
In his reaction, Alhaji Owolabi Adisa, the Chairman, Committee on Agric-Isawo Road Project, urged the government to intervene without further delay adding that the challenge is getting worst on daily basis.
” Adisa commended Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the construction of the phase 1 Isawo road and appeal for speedy completion to ease the untold hardship experienced by road users as well apeal for commencement of construction of the second phase.
“Timely intervention will reduce cost in fixing the bridge compare with when it is completely distroyed, impassable and totally cut off communities from each other,” he said.
Also Mr Joseph Aki, a motorist appealed to the government to urgently repair the road adding that it causes wear and tear of their vehicles and changing of worn-out parts as a result of the bad road.
Mr Dele Johnson, Chairman Unity Community Development Association(CDA) Owutu, called on the state government to as a matter of urgency repair the road adding that it has become a death trap to people living in the area.
“Infact in our area now, hell is better than earth, no road, one side is so appaulling to the extent that a little girl was washed off.
“If not for the help of the Good Samaritans, the lady would have been swept away, even school children cannot pass through the road.
“It is regrettable that we don’t have good road since 2017, for the community that have given the present government overwhelming votes during governorship elections,” he said.
Engr Shola Owojuyigbe, Chairman central CDA Oke-Oko, appealed to the state government to facilitate the ongoing phase 1 road construction to ameloriate the suffering of the residents.
