20th September, 2010
“The major problem we are facing in this area is bad roads. All our roads are in bad shape. We take our vehicles to mechanics nearly on a daily basis and in most cases, and we find it difficult to get vehicles to our destinations owing to the bad roads.â€
This were the words of Mr. Adewale Iyanda, a resident of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, South West Nigeria, while responding to Lagos Bulletin’s question on the state of the roads in the area.
Iyanda, who said he had been living in the community for over a decade, added that he had never seen a local government in the state where roads are so bad and the area council has done nothing ameliorate the plight of the residents.
Another resident, Mr. Chukwu Philip, a commuter bus driver said, “the situation of road in this local government is appalling. We are always in for big trouble whenever it rains.
“All the roads area bad, even the main Jakande-Ejigbo road is not in a condition that a normal road should be. And we pay our levies, rates and dues but it is unfortunate that people are not benefiting from the government.
“We appeal to the state government to look into our problem. If that is the only dividend of democracy that we get from this government, we shall remain faithful and loyal to the government,†he said.
Some of the streets visited by Lagos Bulletin include Adeola Almaroof, Ganiu Lawal, Ilufun, Alaba, Nurudeen Aiyedun, Owonikoko, Osungbesan streets and Idimu road. It was learnt that some of the roads hitherto slated for some sort of rehabilitation have been abandoned.
The residents of the community have appealed to the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, to help rehabilitate these roads, which they said would help in improving both the economy and social life.