Lagos Commuters Decry Deplorable Road, Gridlock In Oke Afa

Commuters at Ejigbo area of Lagos have called on the government to address the issue of deplorable roads in Oke-Afa area which has caused massive gridlock, hindering free flow of traffic in the community.

The residents in the area which is en-route to Isolo have condemned the situation at the canal bridge stating that rehabilitative measures are needed to ensure protection of lives and properties at the deirotating infrastructure.

The individuals lividly expressed that the distance from the Jakande Gate to Isolo is nothing more than a three minute drive, but due to the unwanted situations on the road, they spend hours before navigating through, causing unnecessary delay to the road users.

Motorists and pedestrians have complained that potholes and flooding on the road have caused damage to their vehicles while the passengers in the buses said that the situation is causing delay in reaching their daily destination.

Disclosing the importance of transportation in human everyday life, the respondents claimed they have expressed their dissatisfaction on the matter at the council secretariat, under the led administration of the Chairman, Monsurudeen Obe, but hammered that nothing has been done about it, hence, the road getting adversely worse.

Traders in the area have also hinted on difficulty in conveying their goods. Amina Olorunshogo, who deals in fruit sales, mentioned that transport prices to the area increases, especially during the rainy season.

”The commercial motorists would just increase their fares and when you ask them why, they will say ‘go and ask the government’, ‘don’t you see the roads, if my vehicle gets faulty, am I not going to use money to repair it,” the trader said.

A commercial motorist, Who simply identified himself as Ben, said, ”Just some days ago, we saw some people pouring sand on the road and since then, we have not seen them again.

”This place is nor just about putting sand in, its about total renovation. We don’t even know if those people are from the council or not. This condition is affecting our business because where we are supposed to use not more than two minutes, we spend one hour or more than and when we navigate through it, we still meet it again when coming back because the two roads, to and fro, in the area are terrible.

”Imagine the kind of stress that is.”

A tricyclist in the community said, ”It is not only in Jakande we have issues in Ejigbo and other close environs. Check places like Jakande Estate and nearby areas like Ijagemo and others.

The transporter, Steven Nduagu, continued, ”I live at Ijagemo and I can tell you it is terrible reaching here and returning daily. Always facing terrible roads from Ijagemo to this place and also heading back when I close.

”I am a hire-purchase rider. Imagine what the owner of the motorcycle tells me about the appearance of his property because it is not mine yet.”

As at press time, the complaints made by the respondents continued without any idea of when their decries will be returned with succour. They have called on the government to help curb the anomaly for a positive daily activity and income earning.