By Lukman Olabiyi and Faheem Lawal
In the bustling city of Lagos, the daily commute often highlights the stark contrast between urban vibrancy and infrastructural decay. For residents and commuters in Ogba, one of the most pressing concerns is the deteriorating condition of Ijaiye Road. Once a crucial link within the city, it has now become a symbol of neglect and frustration.
Ijaiye Road, a vital artery in Ogba, has turned into a challenging route for commuters due to its deep potholes, uneven surfaces, and blocked drainage systems. The road is often congested with honking cars, frustrated drivers, and weary pedestrians, exacerbating the daily struggle of its users.
The road’s deteriorated state has significant repercussions. For many residents, it’s more than just an inconvenience; it impacts their quality of life. The poor road conditions have led to increased vehicle breakdowns and repair costs, placing an additional financial burden on an already strained population.
Public transportation, heavily relied upon by many, is also severely affected. Buses, tricycles, and minibuses, often overcrowded, struggle to navigate through the damaged infrastructure, resulting in reduced service quality, longer wait times, and higher fares.
The negative effects extend beyond personal inconvenience. Local businesses are facing disruptions, emergency services are experiencing delays, and traffic congestion is worsening, leading to higher fuel consumption and increased stress for commuters.
The plight of Ijaiye Road is a reflection of broader infrastructural issues in Lagos. With rapid urbanization and growing population density, the city’s infrastructure has struggled to keep up. Many roads are in disrepair, compounding the challenges for both commuters and residents.
Residents, transporters, and daily commuters have expressed their concerns about the road’s condition, particularly, the area G police Command onward Excellent Hotel axis.
Mr. Chinedu, a local trader, expressed frustration with the poor condition of the road, highlighting its impact on both customers and traders.
He noted that the bad road conditions deterred customers, particularly those with cars, as there is no parking available.
“The poor state of the road drives customers away, particularly those with cars. The space that should serve as parking is occupied by transporters avoiding the worst parts of the road.
Flooding during rain further damages our shops, and we urgently need government intervention.
“From morning to night, everywhere is usually blocked, there is nowhere customers can park for them to patronize us and again, if rain falls before you know it, flood will be flowing into our shops, we are begging the government to help us fix the road.
“We are begging the government to come to our rescue because the road is really affecting us badly. The negative effect of the bad road is numerous to us; last night a big truck got spoilt over there, if rain fell everywhere would be flooded within five minutes”, he said.
Mr. Odeh Patrick Olong, a tricycle rider, echoed these concerns, describing the road’s condition as dire. He lamented the government’s inaction despite numerous appeals over several months.
He stressed that the road’s poor state leads to vehicle damage, traffic congestion, and flooding, which further impacts local businesses and daily life.
“It seems the government has forgotten us in this area.
We’ve been pleading with the government for months to fix this road, but nothing has changed. The deteriorating condition of the road causes vehicle breakdowns, floods, and severe traffic congestion, impacting local businesses and daily life”, he said.
Similarly, Mr. Bob Joseph appealed to the government to address the road’s condition, emphasizing its negative effects on vehicle owners, commuters, and businesses. He highlighted the significant impact on the community, urging the government to take urgent steps to repair the road.
He said:”The bad road affects everyone; vehicle owners, commuters, and businesses. We need the government to prioritize repairs, as the current situation is untenable.”
As night falls over Lagos, Ijaiye Road remains a stark reminder of the city’s infrastructural challenges. For Ogba residents, the call for action is clear: reliable infrastructure is essential for daily life and economic activity.
There is hope that policymakers will address the urgent need for repair and maintenance of Ijaiye Road, recognizing its importance beyond merely serving as a passageway but as a crucial element of the city’s economic and social fabric. Until then, commuters like Bob, Chinedu and others will continue to navigate the rough terrain, hoping for improvements in the near future.