Kunle Adelabu
About four months after the flagged – off of the construction of the Igbogbo/Offin/Oreta road in Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division area of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, following the project inclusion in the national budget, the construction of drainages has extended into the two benefiting communities.
The 3.7km road, which was flagged – off exactly on March 5, this year, was constructed 38 years ago, but had been in bad condition for many years, a situation that inflicted hardship on residents of Offin and Oreta communities and other road users, before the intervention of the representative of Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson who advocated for its reconstruction and ensured that the project was included in the 2023 Supplementary budget.
When our reporter visited the construction site on Monday, the work l, which started close to the intersection of Igbogbo/Bayeku road and Offin/Oreta road, has extended to the Offin/Oreta road junction, popularly called ‘Mr Biggs’ junction, with drainage construction on both sides.
Several culverts have also been fixed with a major one constructed at the Wagbare junction, to address the swampy nature of the axis.
From the Offin/Oreta intersection, the drainage construction on both sides of the road has extended into the Oreta community with the left side extended to Ambrance bus – stop, while the construction of drainage on the right side of the road inward Offin community has extended to Abiyamo Arena.
Our reporter reported that work was ongoing on both axes of the road when he visited.
While inspecting the Offin side of the construction, our reporter met the Council Leader, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Hon. Nurudeen Alimi, and chieftains of the Offin/Oreta Joint Community Development Associations (CDAs), also on inspection of the project.
Hon. Alimi, commending Rep. Benson who is the Chairman, House Committee on Defense, thanked him for bringing succor to the residents after several years of hardship.
While stating that the two communities are looking forward to the completion of the road, also added that the extent to which the construction has gone has brought relief to residents and other road users.
“The project that was facilitated by our representative, Hon. Babajimi Benson, will bring succour to people of Ward C3 in the sense that the road is being reconstructed in Oreta and Offin, after 38 years since it was first constructed”, he said.
“Since then, we had suffered lots of pains and stress, but now that it is being reconstructed, we are eager to see its completion, because it is already bringing relief to us; the commuters are now moving freely despite the fact that it is yet to be completed.
“The pace at which the work is being done is very encouraging and we are going to be making less speeches, rather, we will be thanking Hon. Babajimi Benson and that is why you have incidentally met us here today because we do on-site inspection from time to time to follow up on the project.
“The project is still at the drainage construction stage which is very germane in road construction, and we have been given assurance that once the drainage is completed, the leveling and compacting will begin.
“We are very happy about the level of work so far”.
Hon. Alimi, speaking on the socio – economic effects of the ongoing reconstruction, said that landed properties have appreciated since commencement of the construction work.
“The road was flagged – off about three months back and if you do your findings on landed properties and rent now, everything has skyrocketed.
“I was surprised about a month ago when I was told that land has been hiked from around N5 million to around N10 and N15milion, because of the road construction. Definitely, this will have great impacts on the socio – economic lives of the citizenry in the two communities, and that is why can’t utter any statement without thanking and appreciating this gesture of the House of Representatives member, Hon. Babajimi Benson”, he said.
Mr Sikiru Adewale, Chairman, Joint CDA Zone 5 (Offin /Oreta), also corroborated that the construction work has brought succor to the residents.
“On the road reconstruction and rehabilitation, we have brought a message of appreciation to our honourable member of the House of Representatives, for his good efforts in making sure that this road is made motorrable”, he said.
“He has given succour and new lease of life to members of these communities.
“As the road is being reconstructed, there are some critical spots that have made it very difficult for people to commute and this is one of the reasons that we met with the Councilor representing Ward C3, to ensure and facilitate the adjustments with the contractor, and we are happy because immediately we came here today, our requests were answered.
“You can see that this road is now motorrable unlike three months ago when we could not commute the road and we had to navigate through other communities, but since we came here today, our requests have been granted.
“We thank God that our socio – economic lives have jumped started. It is now easy for our children and wives to go about their schooling and businesses normally”, the community leader added.
The Joint CDA Chairman thanked President Bola Tinubu, Hon. Babajimi Benson and other stakeholders that have inputs in the facilitation and execution of the road.
Also commenting on the road reconstruction, Mr Gbenga Odunniyi, who has been a president of Offin for about 15 years and the immediate past President, Igbogbo Youth Coalition (IYC), described the intervention by Rep. Benson on the road as a significant development, while commending the lawmaker.
“The ongoing reconstruction of the Offin/Oreta road, which had been abandoned for many years since its initial construction over 38 years ago, has been a significant development”, he said.
“The road’s neglect had been a disaster for us residents, causing economic activities to come to a standstill, making the journey from Offin to Igbogbo that should take less than 7 minutes to extend to 35-40 minutes.
“We were forced to seek alternative routes due to the road’s condition.
“I am grateful for the intervention of Hon. Jimi Benson who played a crucial role in facilitating the reconstruction of this long-abandoned road. The speed at which the construction work is progressing is truly commendable.
“Within a few months, significant progress has been made, with drainage completed on both sides from Ile-Aje up to Mr Biggs Junction and the Offin road almost reaching Lajo Junction.
“Work is also simultaneously ongoing on the Oreta road”.
While emphasizing appreciation of residents of the affected communities to Rep. Benson, Odunniyi pleaded with the contractor to assist them with alternative routes especially in areas that are challenging.
“We, the residents of Offin, sincerely appreciate Hon. J.B for coming to our aid at this critical time of need”, he said.
“The daily commute cost to Igbogbo is not less than N1,500, especially during the rainy season, which has been a burden.
“We urge the contractor to consider creating alternative routes while carrying out the construction, especially in the challenging areas of the roads in order to ameliorate the suffering we are facing.
“Once again, our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Hon. Jimi Benson for rescuing us from the prolonged hardship we have endured”, he added.
Ms. Tope Amusa, a business woman who resides in Oreta, also stated that the ongoing reconstruction has brought a lot of relief to the people.
She thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the reconstruction of the road which she said has caused residents so much hardship, while also commending Rep. Benson for his people – oriented representation.
Meanwhile, the fixing of the interlocking stones on the Igbogbo/Bayeku road, which commenced some weeks back from the Odofin junction, has extended beyond the Igbogbo garage.
The reconstruction of the Igbogbo/Bayeku road which is being handled by the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, commenced around August 2022.
The road connects the Offin/Oreta road which its reconstruction was facilitated by Rep. Babajimi Benson and being handled by JRB Construction Limited.
