The residents of Babaponmile Street, Onipetesi, Ikeja on Saturday afternoon noticed markings on fences of virtually every houses which was done by three men of Periscope Engineering Limited. People approached them to ask why mark the fences and the response was that Lagos State government had just approved construction of the street because it is the longest street in Ward C, Ikeja Local Govt.

Residents of Babaponmile street demand to know the authenticity of the reconstruction and when and how the project will be implemented. Though, a welcome development if true but marking fences and drainages for destruction and reconstruction is what we oppose to and condemn in strong terms.

The street was first tarred in the 90s by government with well constructed drainages on both sides of the road. No issue of flooding or blockade whatsoever whenever it rains and if reconstruction is to take place, it should basically be the road surface. Why would a government want to expand the street from 7.3meters to 8meters when the difference and benefits is highly insignificant compared to the costs and pains. This implies that the formal drainages would be condemned for new ones, the electric poles would be removed and shifted backward before working on the road surface, thereby requiring more money to expend, takes longer time for completion at the expense of tax payers money and residents of the street.

Also looking at the political angle to this, election is at the corner and some people want to make more money and fame for selfish reasons, therefore lobbying and proposing dirty deals from state government officials. Instead, why not ask the community how government presence could be felt further because the power supply in the area is terrible with bad transformers, high level of insecurity and water supply is nothing good to talk about, than to waste money on duplication of project done before.

I also noticed a huge rush on the part of the contractor by coming to the street on Saturday to mark fences and shops for demolition, brought a notice letter with no date/signature/stamp or address of authenticity today and to embark on demolition tomorrow immediately. Who does that without carrying residents along?

We ,the residents of Babaponmile Street, hereby want the Lagos state government to be more prudent and responsive by giving us what we want and not what you think we want. If reconstruction is to happen, it should be to our happiness and not havoc you are about to put on residents. This is an appeal to LASG to reconsider all for a win-win situation.

This is my Oga street 42 babaponmile but I don't think the demolition will get to his house cos he got enough of space outside his house but I think all the landlords and landlady should go to local government or alausa for governor to be aware of the situation

U mean there are untarred roads in Ikeja of Lagos state!