Road users along the Ikoga-Mowo Road in Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State has cried to the Federal Government to come to their aid given how terrible the road has been.
How The Ikoga-Mowo Road Has Evolved Over The Years Leading to the Lagos-Badagry Expressway
The road is totally in disarray and links the over 30 communities within the axis as it also connect to Ado-Odo in neighbouring Ogun State.
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The road linked traders from the mainlands of Lagos State in the early 1970s as it served as the connection route to the popular Tedo Market in Koga-Zebbe.
They saw it as an ease of transportation to connect to the Old Otta Road as well as Agege even Ebute Ero and Idumota tó sell their farm produce and wares.
During the state tour of the regime of the first military Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, there was an effort to construct the road but his convoy was attacked by hoodlums at Ado-Odo and this led to the project being abandoned as he had to connect through Ijebu-Ode to go to Epe.
The uneventful occurrence then championed the construction and commissioning of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in 1974 by the state and the Federal Government of Yakubu Gowon took over the road afterwards as a Federal road.
Reactions From The Road Users
Speaking to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry on Thursday, road users said that they are experiencing hardship due to the very bad state of the road.
According to a NAN correspondent, who monitored the road from Mowo to Ikoga-Zebbe, he reported that there are many potholes on the road and the recent heavy rainfall had worsened most parts of it.
Notably on the outstretch are parts of the road from Angel Gabriel Bridge to Iyana Ilogbo, Anospat, Alafia and Avia Road amongst others had become impassable.
Mr Jabiru Ajadi, a commercial transporter plying Mowo-Ikoga and Ado-Odo, said going through Mowo-Ikoga to Ado-Odo was like passing through hellfire.
Another businessman who lives in Ikoga on the axis described how the road has impacted his laundry and cleaning business.
Mr Olaosebikan Tella said the bad state of the road had spoilt his Mercedes car that he had to condemn the car.
“If the road is good, it is just 10 minutes from Ikoga to Mowo but now we spend about 40 minutes to Mowo.
“I still repair my Okada weekly and each time I pass through the road, I have to take paracetamol due to the pain I go through.
“Previously, Prince Sesi Whingan, the Lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had always come to our rescue by blocking the potholes with granites through his efforts,” he said.
A Lecturer at the Lagos State University, Ojo, and an indigene of Ikoga, Dr Francis Dansu, said the road was a pathetic site for them in Ikoga.
“We have people from other adjourning villages that have to pass through the road before getting to where they work.
“There are cases when the road will be completely impassable for both pedestrians and motorists after heavy rainfall. Yet, students and workers will have to return to their different villages.
“Unfortunately, both local and state governments have turned their faces away from the plight of their people in Mowo and Ikoga.’
“Some of the residents here are gradually relocating to Badagry, Ajara-Topa and Ibereko because they have good roads,” he concluded.
How The Representatives of Badagry Presented the Matter With The Lagos State Government
While noting the significance of the road and the yearnings of the residents and road users alike, the Constituency 1 representative at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Solomon Saanu Bonu hinted the matter has been tabled before the Governor.
Bonu wrote on his Facebook account that the action was taken in collaboration with the representative of the Constituency 2 and the member of the House of Representatives.
“After much deliberations by my humble self, Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan and Engr. Setonji David. Today, I presented condition of Ikoga Road to the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works, office of infrastructure for prompt action.”
“I am confident that very soon, necessary actions will be taken on that road by Ministry of Works.”
