By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The residents of Ifako-Gbagada, a community located in the Kosofe Local Government Area, have expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of road infrastructure in their area. Ajayi Aina Road, Ibrahim Onoshokun Road, Paul Odulaja Road, and Lateef Dosunmu Street, among others, have deteriorated significantly, causing inconvenience and hardships for the residents.
During an interview with The Kosofe Post, Barrister Wole Ajewole, a resident of the community, lamented the lack of attention from both the state and local government authorities. He pointed out that the last time these roads received any significant government intervention was during the first tenure of former Governor Tunde Raji Fashola. Since then, the roads have been left neglected, adversely affecting the economic activities of the residents.
“It is important to note that the roads in our community are vital for the economic life of the people. Unfortunately, there are no proper roads for us to go in and out. The presence of the government is only felt during elections when they need our votes. As taxpayers in Lagos, we should not have to beg for basic amenities,” said Barrister Ajewole.
He further mentioned that the state government recently repaired roads from the Deeper Life church to the Akoka axis, but the local government has failed to fulfill its responsibility. This neglect has caused frustration among the residents who have, at various times, contributed money to fix the roads themselves. However, their limited resources and capacity have proven insufficient, leaving the roads in an increasingly unmotorable state.
Aside from the inconvenience, the neglected roads also pose security hazards to the community, exacerbating an already challenging situation. Moreover, the residents are also grappling with an unclean environment, adding to their hardships.
Barrister Ajewole urged the local government to take immediate action and rectify the deplorable state of the inner roads. He implored the authorities to change the narrative and prioritize the well-being of the residents.
In response to these concerns, Hon. Barrister Moyo Ogunlewe, the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, stated that a formal letter has been sent to the Lagos State Government regarding the major road issue. While awaiting a response from the state government, the local council plans to provide palliative measures to alleviate the suffering of the residents.
It is worth noting that in 2021, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commissioned a network of nine roads and a bridge in Ifako-Gbagada, Kosofe Local Government Area, as part of his administration’s commitment to providing necessary infrastructure for sustainable development across the state. However, it appears that the roads mentioned by Barrister Ajewole were not included in the project, leading to the present predicament faced by the community.