If there is any agitation that has remained constant in the hearts of residents of Ikorodu division, it is the call for good and motorable roads across the six Local Government and Local Council Development Areas in the division.
Though, the division can boost of three Trunk A roads (Ikorodu-Lagos, Ikorodu-Shagamu and Ikorodu-Itoikin roads) in and out of it, unfortunately, only one of the road (Ikorodu-Lagos road) is motorable courtesy of its full rehabilitation by the Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, administration’s intervention.
The other two have turned to death traps and daily nighmares for the residents and commuters.
The federal government recently approved the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu-Sagamu road and as a result, it is currently undergoing rehabilitation works which is being handled by the construction giant, Arab Contractors. The scope of the construction works is, however, another issue for another editorial and reportage.
The situation is same with Trunk B (state roads), except Ipakodo-Ibeshe and Awolowo roads. But the Lagos State Water Corporation needs to urgent complete the portion of the road infront of Late Alhaji Abel-Abu’s house which was recent damaged by a faulty pipe of the Corporation. Itamaga-Ijede and Gberigbe raods has also turned nightmares for road users.
But we must commend the intervention of the state government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode through its intervention programme of two roads per council across the State. The quality of the roads is another thing the residents are also cheerful about.
The worst hit are the Trunk C roads which are also known as Local Government roads.
From Ikorodu Local Government to Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Ikorodu West LCDA, Ikorodu North LCDA, Ijede LCDA and Imota LCDA, the story is same. NO ROAD! Traversing one community to the other has been hellish and nightmarish for the residents of the division.
Even Ipakodo in Ikorodu West LCDA which used to pride itself as a community with good road networks is gradually sinking into the pitiable condition of other communities due to lack of maintenance for the roads in the axis.
Many of the deteriorating roads in the division have been constructed over a decade without any intervention from the government;either state or local, for there reconstruction despite increase in the population and expansion.
There are also some that are in bad state due to lack or poor drainage system.
Roads that are in need of urgent attention from the local council authority in Ikorodu are Ireshe/Ita-Elewa road, Ota-Ona/Ita-Elewa road, Agbele road, Ikorodu Club road, Aga/Gbasemo/Solebo road, TOS Benson Avenue road by slaughter slab, Itunmoja/Sabo road, Sheriff/Igbe road, Anibaba/Solafun road, Owode road, Ojubode road, Garrage/Lowa Estate road, Ita-Elewa/Oriwu road among others.
In Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Igbe/Oba Omolaja and Obafemi Awlowo roads are two important roads that need urgent attention from the government. There are also many others needing attention
In Ikorodu West, there is need for government to urgently focus attention on TOS Benson Avenue/Dangote road, Sekumade road, Ipakodo PHC among other distressed roads.
These roads are in dire need of palliative measures before further deterioration and total collapse.
The roads stated above are just few of the dozens of roads spread across the six councils in the division which are in need of urgent state and local governments’ attention.
The situation brought to mind the recent lull in the operations of the Lagos State Public Works. Is the Corporation still in existence? The question became necessary because the primary duty of the Corporation which is provision of urgent and regular palliative succour on distressed roads across the State has conspicuously taken a back seat in the last three years unlike before when its presence was being felt on regular basis in councils across the state including those in Ikorodu division.
The state government, as a matter of urgency, needs to re-engineer this department to perform up to expectations as the councils have continued to abdicate there responsibilities regarding roads under there purview.
Local council authorities in Ikorodu division are also enjoined to take advantage, as host to the state owned asphalt plant in Imota LCDA, and embark on repair of bad roads in there respective domains.
Those in-charge of the councils could enter into a joint discussion with the management of the asphalt plant for the purpose of periodic intervention on roads needing palliative measures within the division.
