Kunle ADEALBU
The traditional ruler of Ipakodo kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Engr) Bashir Sotonwa, the Sekumade of Ipakodo, has expressed fears that the indiscriminate parking of truck drivers along Sekumade road in Ebute in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, may turn the road into another Apapa .
Oba Sotonwa expressed this fear while speaking with reporters after hosting about twenty Obas across Ijebuland who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace at Ipakodo on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
“We have been talking about the indiscriminate parking of the trucks along the Sekumade road and also calling the attention of those concerned to the problem. We have met with all the people who are concerned.
“We have held a meeting with the Nigerian Port Authority and Custom over the indiscriminate parking by the drivers of big trucks along the main road which is posing danger to other road users”.
Oba Sotonwa stated that the residents of Ikorodu are concerned that the terminal might turned to another Apapa if it comes into full operation.
“Our fear is that by the time this terminal goes into full operation, this place might be turned into another Apapa and this is giving us lots of concern. You can see that the dangers posed by these trucks on Apapa road down to Surulere despite all efforts by the Federal government address to address it.
“It can take you up to five hours to move from Surulere to Apapa and we have expressed this concern to those concerned that we do not want to have a repeat of that in Ikorodu”, Oba Sotonwa stated.
“We have also expressed our fear to the government concerning the trucks. They are causing damage to the road and making it impassable”.
The traditional ruler, who stated that he is worried about the maintenance culture in the country, asked, “Do we have to wait until the road becomes totally impassable before we fix it”?
“The road (Sekumade road) is in terrible state. It is a very important road not only to Ikorodu people but to many other road users.
“We hope that the government will listen to us. “
