BY MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

As the 2013 rainy season gathers steam, fear has gripped residents of Ayobo and Igbo-Ilogbo, in  Ipaja-Ayobo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, that the area may be isolated. Reason: the only road linking the over 10 communities in the area has been abandoned by the council authourities.

When Vanguard visited the communities located along the Market road that links Camp Davies road, from Megida Bus Stop, it was discovered that the communities are in desperate need of government intervention.

Some of the communities depending on this road to access their homes are: Balogun, Ijon, Ishefun and Kande among others.

The residents lamented that previous and present administrations in the state have continuously marginalised them without explanation.

Sources said that lack of proper drainage facilities in the area has turned some of the communities to perennial flood planes, causing many to abandon their property until the water subsides. The worst flood-hit areas are Bada and Balogun and Igbo-Ilogbo axes.

Flooded Lagos

Over 40 families have been sacked by flood caused by the March 4th and 16th downpour.

Pastor John Awe, a landlord in the area said; “Our fears are caused by  the rainy season which has commenced, and with the present state of the road, we will be completely cut-off when the rains intensify.

“The reason for this is that most roads in the council are in deplorable state especially the Market Road which serves as link road for over 10 communities.”

Another resident, Mr. Ladi Samson, argued; “Whenever it rains, vehicular movement in and out of Ayobo becomes impossible. Many drivers who risk driving on the dilapidated road  eventually get their vehicles stuck especially the portion at the Ayobo market.

“This is why the yellow commercial vehicles Danfos, stopped plying the road; the only means of operation now is commercial Tri-cycle popularly called Keke and Okada.

When Vanguard visited the portion of the road, an articulated truck with registration number LAGOS XU 905 EKY, was actually stuck at that portion of the road.

Mr. Kenneth Matthew, an Okada rider, lamented that, that portion of the road had become a threat to the residents of the area.

“During last week’s downpour, many vehicles especially heavy duty ones broke down here causing a bumper-to-bumper traffic on the road.

“At this time, we increase the transport fare by over 50 percent a because the demand is more than the supply,” Matthew explained.

LCDA responds
Speaking on the state of the road in the area, the Council chairman, Mr. Shakiru Yusuf, said “the road from Megida Bus stop to Ishefun community, is a state government project. For any sensible construction to be carried  out, it must be done by the state government through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and not the council.”

According to Yusuf, “During the last flag-off of the Eko Free Health mission and polio eradication campaign, held in the council, Governor, Babatunde Fashola came, I reminded him of the responsibilities of the state government to the council especially as it concerns roads under the purview of the state government.”