In Amukoko, life is rickety, menacing Residents of Ajeromi Ifelodun, Lagos community seek help over poor roads and menace of miscreants
WHEN Ajegunle and Mushin, former tinderboxes of Lagos metropolis, are trying to change their poor image in the eyes of other Lagosians, another community, Amukoko in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council, is becoming a new hotbed of violent clashes by groups of miscreants.
Long after his first visit to Amukoko, Kayode Ilori told The Guardian he would not forget in a hurry his first impression of the community.
“That was about two months ago, and it had just rained.
“There were cars and buses packed along the major streets, but you could not help wondering how their owners drove them through the hundreds of potholes on the roads.
“Then, shortly after we arrived on a motorcycle, we heard gunfire only to be told that groups of youths were fighting.
“My mind went back to those days when it was either Mushin or Ajegunle where such things happened.
“In Ajegunle then or Alaka area of Mushin, which is still a trouble-spot, there is no doubt that neglect by state and local councils contributed to the high level of poverty and the violence among groups.
“ We could not begin to count the potholes on Aliko Street where my relations live and I wonder if the community is part of the mega-city plan of the state government.”
Residents of Amukoko say the problem of bad roads has continued to unleash a litany of harrowing experiences on them.
All the roads in the densely populated suburb have completely collapsed, their drainages overgrown and blocked, which has exposed residents to the devastating effect of flood.
The main Mosafejo-Alaba Road that leads into the area from Mile Two has since metamorphosed into a death trap and residents are crying to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) to extend his magic wand to the area.
A fishmonger at Alaba Bus Stop Market, Alabi Adewara said, “going home after the day’s business is a bad experience.
“We suffer daily to make ends meet and situation is getting worse because many commercial vehicle operators always refuse to drive to the bus stop because of the state of the roads.”
Another, Jamiu Kuye, said the roads were constructed over two decades ago and had deteriorated to their present state owing to lack of maintenance.
“The roads have been bad for years. Most of them were constructed in the early 80’s and they are not being maintained.
“The bad roads and flood have made life almost meaningless for us. Anytime it rains, flood would take over the road, especially in areas where there are deep potholes.”
Another resident, Mr. Bola Kola, said, “Alaba-Ijora Road, which would have eased the traffic jam always experienced at Orile to Mile Two Road, is crying for attention.
“There is no sign that we are also beneficiaries of any efforts of government, state or local.
“May be it is because of the neglect that miscreants and anti-social elements have found Amukoko a haven from which to unleash terror on innocent people.
“Several houses have no toilets and there has not been any attempt by the local authorities to solve these problems.
[size=18pt]“From time to time, a handful of officials go round, extort money from people and return to their offices.
“Here, payment of tax has not yielded any benefits contrary to what the government wants us to believe.”
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Another resident, Tobe Aghara lamented “ The creation of local council development areas has not made any impact in Amukoko.
“We still lack the basic amenities we were denied before the LCDAs.”
He, however, explained that it wasn’t until 1997 when Amukoko was devastated by a tanker fire that the state government looked towards the area.
He said the then Military Administrator of Lagos State, Brig. Buba Marwa compensated the affected landlords and the contract to repair the major road was awarded to major company.
“The road was constructed halfway and abandoned.
“ Since then, once it rains, the road becomes flooded.
“Everyday, women and children who don’t know areas where there are potholes, slip into the holes and get injured.”
He blamed the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Council for abdicating its duty to the community. Aghara also wondered why adjoining roads such as Edidi Street, Amukoko Oja, Mission Street and Adegboyega Street constructed in 2004 by the local council and commissioned same year failed to stand the test of time.
Also decrying the agonising experience they are exposed to daily, commercial bus operators disclosed that they have lost many of their colleagues to terrible accidents on the route.
“We are not even talking about the money we spend everyday to maintain our vehicles,” a driver, Sanusi, told The Guardian.
“On many occasions, our buses get trapped in the pot-holes and passengers would disembark and demand their fares. We are not having it easy here.
“Our prayer is that the government will remember us and repair our roads, build drainages and get rid of miscreants so we will have a sense of belonging like other Lagosians”, he said. http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61867:in-amukoko-life-is-rickety-menacing&catid=3:metro&Itemid=558 |
D roads in d area are death-trap.Cementry Road is nt motorable. Obale Road in Badia is a no go area. The most worrying tin abt d area is d spate of violence,riot and robbery perpetrated by d area boys. E.g, d Fijabi-Alaba fight, d Ali-Iwo-Moshalashi fight, d Imam street fight etc. Fashola plz save dis area plz |
