By Bose Adelaja

TREE planting has always been encouraged as trees are known to enhance the natural beauty of the environment. That was the case with Igbogbo/Bayeku Road in the Ikorodu area of Lagos which enjoys a peaceful ambience because of the trees that line it from one end to the other, casting a beautifying shade over road users. History has it that the trees were planted over two decades ago. This explains why many, for a long time, delighted in taking a walk from Igbogbo to Bayeku while savouring the shade and cool breeze the trees provided.

Though these trees are popularly appreciated for this beneficial effect on road users, the story presently is one that borders on expressed worries about the danger they presently represent on account of the age of some of them. For example, within a space of one year, the road has more or less become a disaster zone as no fewer than 12 road users, including school children, have met their untimely death there. The unfortunate individuals died after trees fell on them.

*Fallen tree…now source of disastacer at Igbogbo

Vanguard Metro, VM, investigations revealed that the trees, which are patricularly of the Gmelina species with fibrous roots, have out-lived their life spans. One of the residents, Mr. Onaolapo Ayinde, who lost a relation to a fallen tree, recounted thus: “These trees were meant for beautification and agricultural purposes, but have now become death traps. I lost a cousin, Gloria; the only daughter in our family.

It was raining that day and she was on her way home from the shop when she met her untimely death. She called me few minutes to the tragic incident that her taxi was faulty and she had to alight at the nearest bus-stop. I think she was trekking home when one of the trees fell on her. Having waited for a long time, I decided to trace her and found her trapped underneath the tree; she died on the way to the hospital”.

Major disaster

A major disaster almost occurred on the road last week following a rainstorm in the early hours of the day which knocked down a tree and it fell across the road. Fortunately, an 18-seater bus narrowly escaped being smashed by the fallen tree. To express their appreciation and praise to God for their narrow escape from death, the passengers and driver repeatedly shouted a loud Halleluyah!

Again last year, one of the trees fell and an oncoming vehicle ran into it. The driver lost his life, while the vehicle was smashed beyond repairs. Also, on July 10 of that year, one of the trees fell across the road, cutting off Bayeku from other communities. Although the youths were mobilised to restore normalcy but success was not recorded till 2pm of the following day after road users had resorted to trekking long distances before getting to their various destinations.

Two weeks ago, a land speculator named Ladega, ran into one of the trees early in the morning of the day; he also lost his life while his car ended up a wreck. He joined a long list of others who lost their lives under similar circumstances; that is, when trees or their branches suddenly fell on them.

A walk round the community showed that the trees have grown so large and their base exposed following sustained onslaught by the wind and heavy rainfall over the years. It was also discovered that road users avoided the use of that road for a time, but due to the absence of an alternative route they have since started using the road again, the danger of falling trees notwithstanding.

Mr. Odumade Olanireti said: “Communities like Ofin and Igbogbo have benefited greatly from the PHCN target goal as the concrete polls have been erected but I heard from a reliable source that Bayeku could have been the next target but for the trees which have occupied the major road”.

Another resident of Greenland Estate, Mrs. Oshileru Ifedapo, urged the state government to come to their aid and save residents from untimely death. She said: “Many have died when the trees fell on them; who knows the next victim? The government should come to our aid before it is too late.”

During VM’s, visit to the area some road side traders were found under some of the trees. Many of them said they could not afford to rent a shop in the area. “We usually take to our heels once we notice it’s going to rain,” they chorused.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area,  Adegbenga Basanya, proved abortive as his cell phones were switched off.