Aniete crescent residents appeal to LCDA to repair bridge

By Damilola Kushimo

The residents of Aniete Crescent and its environs are calling on the authorities of the Isolo Local Council Development Area to fulfil the promise made by the Chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye to rebuild the collapsed link-bridge in the community.

They said although they learnt that a contractor has been chosen for the job since January, he is yet to resume on site.

The residents noted that the bridge on Aniete Street off Godmon Street is the easiest access link to the neighbouring communities but since it collapsed four years ago, navigating to and from other communities has been difficult.

A resident, Mrs Patricia Agunyego, who recalled how they were all happy when the council chairman promised to repair the dilapidated bridge last year November, said the joy was short lived as the bridge is yet to be fixed.

Her words: “We’ve been on this issue for the past four years. We’ve been going back and forth and we’ve met with the council chairman on several occasions. We had a meeting with him and he promised to do it last November. He showed empathy that he was going to do the work but nothing was done throughout December. When I spoke with him again, he said the contract has been awarded but it’s unfortunate that it has not been done since then.”

She said the residents noticed that work was about to start there in January but after what seemed to be the groundbreaking exercise when the contractor came around to open up the bridge the more leaving only a part of it for pedestrians, the contractor said he wanted to put up the signboard for the contract. “He said they needed to have a signboard before they could start the project but up till now, he has not returned to site.” Agunyego said.

She said the damage has put the residents at the mercy of the adjoining streets because most times they lock them out lamenting: “that’s heartbreaking.”

Another resident who simply identified himself as Tunji expressed his fear that if the link-bridge is not repaired before the rain starts some residents might be forced out of their apartments by flood.

He appealed to the council boss to fulfil his promise as he hinted that the contractor might be dilly-dallying due to the fact that agreement has not been reached with the council on how to execute the project.