Kunle Adelabu
-As Ogunlewe, IYC intervene
Years after calls on the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area and the Lagos State Government to intervene and fix the small portions of the Olayinka Street in Igbogbo in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, the failure to act accordingly has made the road, which was constructed as an access road few years back, degenerated.
What started as few small potholes, has now turned into a ‘river’ which has expanded and made movement difficult for motorists and other road users. The situation made users of the road lamented on Thursday, when the community experienced few hours of downpour as many vehicles broke down, while others found it difficult to navigate the heavily water-logged road.
The road in question was constructed in 2018, as part of the over 100 roads constructed during the Mr Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration as the Governor of Lagos State, in conjunction with the 57 Local Governments and LCDAs across he state.
The most affected area is the frontage of the Hasbunallahi Schools, which has turned into a big ditch.
Another major problem on the road is the blocked drainage system which is not allowing free flow of water.
Prince Fatola Segun, a public commentator and Councillorship aspirant who has his workplace along the affected street, called on the political and community leaders in Igbogbo, to intervene in addressing the challenges posed by the damaged road.
He made the clarion call on the ‘Itesiwaju Igbogbo’, ‘CIIDU’ and other platforms related to Igbogbo, during the downpour that affected many roads on Thursday.
The young Prince has over the years called for intervention on the road and also in the forefront of calling both the local and state governments’ attention to projects needing interventions in Igbogbo.
“I want to appeal to the leadership and all members of this great platform to pls do a palliative measure on Olayinka Street off Oliwo Amoju road. Life is unbearable on that road thanks”, he lamented during the downpour on Thursday.
CIIDU President, and an Assistant Director, National Assembly, Abuja, Barr Dankuwo, speaking on the call by Prince Fatola, assured him of quick intervention.
“Noted. We would look in this direction…thanks for bringing it up…”, he said.
Gbenga Ogunlewe, a Director in the Public Works Department, who also doubles as the President, Conference of Igbogbo indigenes in Public and Civil Service (COIIPS), contributing on CIIDU, said that he had instructed for the inspection of the damaged road.
“I just instructed an engineer from the office to inspect and bring it up for necessary consideration. Please, kindly bear with us”, he said.
The President, lgbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), Comrade Kazeem Ogunumyiwa, reacting to the clarion call, said that the umbrella body of entire Igbogbo youths, has written to the necessary authorities, including the General Manager, LAGOS State Works Department, on the said road and others in need of quick attentions in Igbogbo.
He posted a letter to the Ggeneral Manager, dated March 29, 2023, to buttress his point and assured youths and residents of the ancient community generally, that the group will continue to push for interventions.
“We appreciate this very important call on the platform on the state of our roads in Igbogbo, and her environs. To be honest, the call is long overdue”, the IYC President said.
“We have long envisaged the negative effects of the bad roads, especially during the rainy season and have taken actions beforehand to ensure something is done before this period.
“Only intensified efforts can yield results, and as such, we will not relax on our oars until we get our desired results, the call for palliative is a good one, but can only come in place after we have exhausted the desired remedies.
“Kindly find below one of our correspondences to one of the concerned authorities, and this particular road, (Olayinka Street) among other dark spots, come top on our list. We assure you all that we will continue to put the best of our abilities on the line to ensure a lasting relief is provided”, he assured.
