Ejigbo Council Chairman, Ministry of Transport Meet Oke-Afa Residents Over Jakande Gate Traffic Congestion

…Bus Terminal To Be Constructed At Mechanic Village

…Ministry Of Physical Planning To Begin Marking Structures For Demolition Under The Power Line

By Rasaq Adebayo 

The Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area and a team from the State Ministry of Transportation have met with residents of Oke-Afa Ward over the issue of traffic congestion at Jakande Gate and how it will be eased permanently.

The constant traffic congestion at Jakande Gate has been a great challenge for the local council.

This is caused by the activities of commercial transport workers, roadside business activities, filling of roads and drainage with refuse, etc.

A statement from the Public Affairs Unit/Office of the SA on Information and Strategy, Ejigbo LCDA noted that during his first tenure, the Kashimawo Alimi Road, at NNPC Junction, was fully reconstructed (roads, drainages, culverts, and curbs) by the council chairman.

“This created an alternative route and helped to ease the traffic congestion at Jakande Gate, however, the challenge is far from being over.”h

Meanwhile, the State Government and the Local Council have identified Mechanic Village, close to Jakande Gate, as a good spot to construct a Bus Terminal.

“This would help to move all commercial activities away from Jakande Gate, thereby leaving the road wider and more durable.

“Just like what happened at Iyana-Ejigbo, it has been established that any land under the Powerline is owned by the Federal Government, and is sometimes left in the care of the State Government.

“Therefore, on Thursday 7th September, 2023, all concerned stakeholders were invited to the Council Secretariat for a crucial meeting with the Executive Chairman and the Team from the State Ministry of Transportation.

“All business owners and artisans operating under the Powerline at Mechanic Village, members of the National Automobile Technicians Associations (NATA), leaders of concerned religious houses, owners of houses and structures in the affected area, representatives of the Landlord Association and all the Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Oke-Afa Ward, e.t.c. all the affected parties were heavily represented,” the statement read.

Among other things, the council chairman clarified that the creation of a Bus Terminal (motor garage) is not within the purview of the local council, but that of the state government, declaring that the local council cannot afford it.

He said he is only partnering with the state government to represent the interest of the people.

While asking for the cooperation of the people, the council boss promised that all concerned artisans and business owners would be given an alternative place to transact.

However, he did not make any promise to the permanent-structure owners.

On his part, the team leader from the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Adekoya explained that a good transport system is important for the development of the State as it would ease the lives of the people and be important for emergency cases, adding that it is purely for public use and that no personal interest is involved.

He further explained that the proposed construction of a Bus Terminal at the Mechanic Village (under the Powerline) has come to stay.

“Very soon, the Ministry of Physical Planning will begin to mark the affected structures for demolition. Letters have been served to that effect,” he said.

For owners of the affected houses and permanent structures, Adekoya clarified that no arrangement would be made for them, insisting that there should not be permanent structures under the Powerline.

In their responses, the people agreed to cooperate with the government but pleaded for leniency.