Kunle Adelabu
-Traders await demolition of shops, want govt to provide alternative market
Polaris and Access banks situated along Ayangbure road and near the Ikorodu garage roundabout have begun demolition and adjustment of their fences to give way for the expansion and redevelopment of the axis.
The Lagos State Government, few months back, announced that the Ikorodu garage roundabout and connecting roads would be redeveloped to address the perennial traffic congestion and the demolition of already marked structures to give right of way was scheduled to begin Monday, September 6, but there was action to that effect as announced by the government.
The project, which will be completed in 8 months, is being handled by N.S.C.E Nigeria Limited and Advanced Engineering Consultants as contractor and consultant respectively.
It project will cover both sides of the Ikorodu garage roundabout to CAC/ Total junction on Ikorodu – Lagos road.
Also, the project will also cover from the roundabout to Ayangbure road and terminate a few metres after Etunrenren junction and, from the roundabout to Ragolis road on the way to Sabo market.
When our reporter visited the Ikorodu garage/Lagos road and Ayangbure road on Monday, the road traders were still occupying the roads while owners of marked structures were awaiting the officials of the Ministry of Physical & Urban Development for the planned demolition.
Meanwhile, the two banks that are within the vicinity of the Ikorodu garage – Polaris and Access banks, have pulled down their fences and constructed another ones inwardly to give right of way for the road project.
When our reporters visited the affected banks, he saw a welder working at the Polaris bank.
Also, parts of the fences of the two banks that extended beyond the marked point have also been adjusted.
Some property owners have also begin adjusting their structures before the coming of the government’s bulldozers.
Some of the traders that will be affected by the demolition, while speaking with our reporter, said that they are aware of the redevelopment and that their shops are affected.
Tony, a CD/DVD seller at the Ikorodu garage, said that he’s already looking for another place to relocate his shop since they have been served notice.
“I usually go to the Alaba market to buy CD/DVD every week and sell them here (Ikorodu garage) but I have not been able to go for over a month now because we are expecting them (government) to come for demolition because our shops are affected”, he said.
“I have been searching for another location to place my container, likewise many others that will be affected by the expansion project.
“We are expecting the government to assist us by providing another location to be used as market. We will be willing to go there to sell our wares”, he pleaded.
A female trader, who usually displays her wares on the road close to the Access bank at the Ikorodu garage, also said that she and other traders are aware of the redevelopment plan and stated that they are expecting the government officials to come any time soon.
She, however, pleaded with the government to create another market for them.
“Yes, we are aware that they will be expanding the road and that we may not be able to sell here again, but where do we go?”, she asked rhetorically.
“Government should create an alternative market for us. That is the only way to help hundreds that will be affected by the demolition”, she said.
