Motorists and residents plying Ikorodu-Sagamu road are in anguish following the deplorable state of the road.
Despite years of outcry by residents in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State and border towns in Ogun State, the road has remained in bad state.
Though, Arab Contractors, the construction company awarded the road repairs from Ikorodu to Ogijo has been on site for almost five years, the slow pace of work on the road has not yielded respite for residents and motorists.
Residents alleged that the contractor usually return to the road during raining season, work for few weeks and disappear, thereby leaving the road in a more deplorable state.
Consequently, commuters spend an hour between Ile Epo Oba to Lara Narrow Way Nursery and Primary School, Ikorodu, a journey that should last for just two minutes.
Similarly, commuting from Ikorodu to Ogijo in Ogun State now takes five hours against 45 minutes.
Consequently, transportation fare from Sabo Ikorodu to Ogijo, which used to be between N100 and N150 is now between N250 and N300. Also, the cost of motorcycle ride, which used to be N250 and 300 is now N500
A resident, who gave his name simply as Ibidemi, alleged that the contractor spent almost five months constructing the road between the Lagos State Polytechnic and Holy Ghost Christ Apostolic Church, a distance of less than a minute drive.
He also accused the contractor of taking up several road construction works at the same time without adequate equipment and manpower to deliver on time.
Recently, hundreds of protesters from Ogijo, Odogunyan, Agbede, First Gate, Okegbegun and Ikorodu, protested the deplorable condition of Ikorodu/Sagamu road, which they claimed had caused many untimely deaths.
The protesters claimed many car owners abandon their cars due to the deplorable condition of the road.
A commuter who identified himself as Yomi said: “I decide to follow the road to Abeokuta recently, after spending five hours on the road, I had to turn back, because there was so much damage to my car. It was more frustrating as I did not even get to Sagamu. I drove in a brand new car, but ended up with broken bumpers.”
An engineer working for the construction firm, who spoke with The Guardian in confidence, did not deny that the firm only returns to the site during raining season.
He, however, claimed that the company could only work when the federal government releases funds.
“We are doing a perfect job as a construction company, but we can only return to the road whenever we get funds to work. We are not to be blamed,” he said.
When asked when the work will be completed, he said: “It depends on government, not the company. We are equal to the task whenever the government is ready.”
On when work will get to Sagamu, he said: “Forget Sagamu because I don’t think that’s part of the plan. We are constructing from Ogijo to Ita Oluwo, then from First Gate to Enyo Filling Station in Ikorodu.”
Responding, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Olukayode Popoola said things will change with funding.
“We are currently embarking on the road construction around the area, but if the funding is not regular, it is difficult because of paucity of funds.
“I don’t know the engineer, who spoke with you, but I can tell you for a fact that we will surely construct the road to Sagamu.”
(Adopted from The Guardian)
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