Kunle Adelabu
There may be an end soon to the traffic hardship and the danger being posed by the indiscriminate parking of heavy duty trailers along Oba Sekumade Road in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria.
The heavy duty trucks bringing containers to the Nigeria Port Authority, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal in Ipakodo, and others loading goods from the Dangote factory located within the port, have contributed in no small measure to the present deplorable state of the road.
It was gathered that lack of space inside the terminal due to the collapsed of the major sections of the terminal is the main reason the heavy duty vehicles are being parked along Oba Sekumade road .
The collapsed sections, according to report, was due to the effect of Lagoon surge and lack of use for many decades.
It was also alleged that the deplorable state of the sections was due to the impacts of the trailers bringing in materials and those loading produce from the Dangote’s factory.
Our reporter sighted the scenes of the rehabilitation work going on within the port during the week as collapsed concrete blocks were being used to demarcate the terminal while the Lagoon was being reinforced and sand being used to fill it.
THE IMPACT learnt that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal (quay wall/quay apron) was awarded to a contractor about two years ago but nothing was done.
Findings revealed that nothing was done on the project until recently when trucks started bringing in sand for the rehabilitation of the collapsed parts of the terminal.
It was also gathered that the former contractor initially attempted to dredge sand from the Lagoon for the rehabilitation but was unsuccessful.
However, the current rehabilitation work, according to report, is being handled by Deux Project Limited of 261A, Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
The rehabilitation work is expected to be completed within months.
Efforts to speak with officers of the Nigeria Custom concerning the project proved abortive as those approached by our reporter during his visit to their office at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal claimed that they are not allowed to speak with the media.
