Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway: Nigerians Send SOS To Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

For residents and motorists that ply Sango, Toll Gate, Alakuko, Joju, Ajegunle, Kola and its environs, the deplorable state of the Federal Government road is hell on earth.

Just like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that successive democratic Governments have failed to make pliable for motorists, so is the lot of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Though, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, when he inspected the area last month, promised that the Federal Government will swing into action earnestly in repairing the roads, nothing has been done.

Fashola said that the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road was inherited from the previous administration, with the first contract awarded in the Year 2000 to the tune of N6billion.

The Minister lamented that N56billion is needed for its completion today.

Sadly, the pathetic state of the roads is becoming more deplorable by the day, as continual breakdown of vehicles, hampering vehicular movement leading to traffic congestion and deaths.

Last week, Members of the Organised Labour in Ogun State, led by the State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), marched on Sango- Ota section of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, lamenting the worsening condition of the road, which has affected businesses and livelihood.

The Ogun State NLC Chairman, Emmanuel Bankole, said the Union decided to protest to show its displeasure over the continued attitude of the Government despite cries from residents and stakeholders.

When this reporter visited the area following heavy downpour, the condition of the road has worsened, as motorists were stuck in the pool of water that submerged the road.

Pedestrians were forced to enter the flood as there was no alternative route for them to get to their various destinations, leading to lamentation from different quarters.

Femi Alimi, a resident of the area inquired whether there is a Government in place. He said he doubted if there is a Government, because a Federal road shouldn’t be in this deplorable state and both the Federal and State Governments are not bothered.

“It is disheartening, considering the magnitude of the endless catastrophe, as we have been forced to cope with a situation beyond our power. Some residents working in Lagos have abandoned the area for now, while others only come home during the weekends.

“We are here to let the government know that the suffering of our people is limitless. We are doing practically everything for ourselves, in terms of infrastructure provision, do they expect us to fix this road for them too? We don’t have a government again.”

Sherifatu Alayande, a business woman said her business has failed to thrive and blossom because of the poor state of the road.

According to her, “I started this business of selling snacks and drinks at Toll Gate for motorists and passerby who usually stop at the park. The situation of the road have forced motorists not to ply this road again. There is no more park, because erosion have washed away road.

“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to come to our aid. This is a Federal road. The Ogun State Governor keeps saying there is no money and that it is the duty of the Federal Government to repair the road. We are suffering. Nothing to eat. We can’t do something illegal to survive”.

Olayinka Olatunji, a resident of Sango decried the appalling state of the federal road, adding that the axis generates revenue for the state as well as for the Nigerian Government, yet, it has been in deplorable state for over a decade and successive Governments have failed to address the situation.

72-Year old Ambrose Ilesanmi, a retired Civil Servant and a resident of the area said that for over eight years, it has been the same old story about the bad state of the road, yet, the government have continued to pay lip service, till the state of the road deteriorated to this deplorable state.

“It pains one to the Marrow that areas that needed serious attention six years ago are still begging for it, especially in the borders towns of Ifo and Sango Otta local governments, and the wider Yewa axis.

“Thousands of man-hours are lost daily to these terrible roads while the economic costs of frequent car repairs are frankly life-threatening.

“In the specific case of Sango Otta, I know of only two good roads in the entire local government.

“Yes, the state will say many of the bad roads are federal roads that FG warned them off, but I will like to ask Governor Dapo Abiodun, are their federal people? Do adequate palliatives on this road and chuck the cost up to doing social good or something. The suffering is too much!”.

The journey from Iyana Ipaja to Sango averagely should be less than 20 minutes, unfortunately, motorists spend over two hours to get to their destination due to the bad state of the road.

Residents of this area have made an urgent call to the President Buhari All Progressives Congress, APC, led government to address the situation earnestly to save them from this pathetic State, making lives less cumbersome with business thriving.