13th October, 2010
To the members of Sunmoni Hughes community in Ifako-Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria, good roads and functioning drainage channels are a dream that may never be realised.
The community comprising Irawo-Ogo Jehovah Street, Odenike Lane, Adeyeri and Ileri-Oluwa Crescents, it was learnt, has not witnessed any form of rehabilitation for quite a long time.
Some members of the community who spoke with Lagos Bulletin stated that they have made entreaties to the local council on several occasions over the state of the roads in the area, but without response.
Pa Michael Oladimeji, a landlord in the area, said both the drains and roads are in bad state.
“There was a time flood divided our road and had to suffer before we could get to our houses.
“We have written several letters to the past and current administrations of the council, but yet to receive any response.
“Because of the bad state of the road, we face great difficulties, even commercial motorcycle operators have stopped coming to our area, while those who still do, charge exorbitantly.
“We are calling on the state government to prevail on Ifako-Ijaye Local Government to come to our rescue before our area is cut from the rest of the state,†he stated.
Mr. Emmanuel Uguezue, another resident, said that for over 15 years he has been living in the community, he has not witnessed any repair carried out on the roads and drain channels.
According to him, “the only rehabilitation work done so far was by the community.
“We are obedient citizens, we pay all that is demanded by government in terms of taxes, land use charge and any others levies and don’t know why we have not gained anything from government.
“We beg the state government to come to our rescue before erosion cuts us off from the rest of the state.â€