Airport road rehabilitation: residents, commuters urge contractor to speed up work
By Felix Kuyinu
Residents and commuters at Ajao Estate plying the Murtala Mohammed International Airport road have appealed to the HITECH Construction Company to speed up work to ease the agonies faced on daily basis caused by the on-going construction work on the road.
This came as they expressed their discomfort on the closure of the major access road into the area, which has thus caused unprecedented gridlock on that axis.
Making their complaints known, the residents lamented that the ongoing construction work has brought explainable traffic snarl and immense pressure on Osolo road since Wednesday last week as the only inlet and outlet for vehicles coming in or going out of the estate which also serves those going towards, Egbeda, Idimu, Isheri, Igando and other communities in Ejigbo and Alimosho, thereby causing distress to the community.
It was also gathered that the situation is taking a toll on man-hour and businesses along that axis.
A resident in the area, Calistus Nwankwo, said that he has decided to abandon his car during weekdays in order to prevent it from untimely damage and to also save his own life.
A community leader in the area, Elder Francis Makinde, stated that the situation is compounded by poor lightings of the entire street at night and the presence of urchins who take over traffic control to make quick money from the helpless motorists.
“Interestingly, Ajao Gate Road serves as the major route into and out of the estate. With the situation, everybody is forced to pass Osolo Way, which is rowdy,” stated Makinde.
He added, “We are also worried about the security and safety hazards in the event of emergencies like medical, fire outbreak or robbery. As things are now, it is impossible for a fire truck to enter the estate, almost impossible for an ambulance to navigate the chaotic traffic.”
The residents declared that timely completion of the project and proper illumination and signs to direct road users is highly important in order to enjoy a free flow of movement in the community and it’s environs.
The HITECH Construction Company site Engineer who gave his name as Acho Acho said that the entrance to Ajao had been opened on Monday for public use.
He said, “People should bear with us for the inconveniences the road construction might have caused. We are not happy that the road is closed temporarily, but it is just for us to complete the ongoing construction work.”