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IDIMU/EGBEDA: Two Adjacent Communities, Different Levels Of Govt Presence

By Gbenga Akinfenwa
26 July 2015   |   6:40 am
IDIMU and Egbeda are two different communities in the old Alimosho Local Government Area, adjudged the largest council area in Lagos State, before it was divided into several Local Community Development Areas (LCDAs). In terms of proximity, the two communities are close to each other. They were originally populated by the Aworis but have now…
lugbede Street, Egbeda, Lagos State.

lugbede Street, Egbeda, Lagos State.

Pipeline area, off Ramoni Owoyemi Street, Idimu, Lagos State.

Pipeline area, off Ramoni Owoyemi Street, Idimu, Lagos State.

IDIMU and Egbeda are two different communities in the old Alimosho Local Government Area, adjudged the largest council area in Lagos State, before it was divided into several Local Community Development Areas (LCDAs).

In terms of proximity, the two communities are close to each other. They were originally populated by the Aworis but have now both become part of Lagos metropolis, who forms the bulk of the residents. Though the two communities share many similarities, but in terms of development and basic infrastructure, there is a sharp contrast between them.

While Egbeda looks attractive and pleasing to behold, due to government’s presence, that cannot be said of Idimu, which has in the recent past suffered neglect by past administrations in the state.

Coming from Akowonjo or Iyana-Ipaja end of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, towards the Iyana-Ipaja/Ikotun road, the first image that attracts one’s attention is the well-tarred roads with streetlights and well-constructed drainage system.

The streets from Egbeda motor park, through Kareem Laka, Orelope, Isiba Oluwo, Olugbede, Unity lane, Unity Estate to Dayo Olowo, among other streets, have good road networks that link the streets with the expreessroad.

Coupled with this is the beauty of the area. All the roads are adorned with trees, strategically planted on both sides of the road, to provide afforestation and prevent flooding. The presence of the officials of the Lagos State Waste Management (LASTMA), who are busy sweeping the road, contribute immensely to the neatness of the area.

According to The Guardian’s investigation, the good road network and the beauty of the roads have been considered a major factor attracting people to the area, which has inadvertently added to cost of accomodation.

But from the Isiba Oluwo end, to Pipeline area, which serves as the boundary between Egbeda and Idimu, the difference is very clear. The road construction work which started from the street was terminated around the pipeline area, while the drainage construction work, partially done was also abandoned.

Moving towards the left side through Ramoni Owoyemi Street to Olatunji Ogunsanwo and beyond, the roads are not only untarred, they are also water-logged. The incessant rainfall in the last few weeks has made the roads impassable for motorists and commercial motorcycle riders, popularly called Okada, adding to the agony of the residents.

The road linking the Pipeline market bus stop with Orisumbare, the headquarters of Foursquare Gospel Church, to Shasha, is in a terrible mess and has been abandoned by motorists for several years. There are several portions of collapsed roads that are neglected by government.

A visit to Idimu-Ejigbo area showed that the collapse of the road has led commercial buses, including motorcyclists using the road to completely desert it because of its bad state. The road is full of gullies created by the increasing flood menace, a situation that has forced residents not to use their vehicles.

The recent tanker-fire incident, which affected many houses, shops and also claimed lives, was attributed to the issue of bad road and government’s neglect of the area in its developmental programmes.

A motorist, who doesn’t want his name mentioned attributed the infrastructural development in Egbeda to the influence of the former deputy governor of the state, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who influenced the transformation of the community. He noted that the former deputy governor lived in the area before she came into power and decided to use the opportunity to ensure government’s presence, especially road construction, which was a major problem of the area.

A middle-aged woman, Mrs. Sola Idowu, who spoke with The Guardian at Idimu, rue the development, which she described as the marginalisation of the area. She noted that despite paying their taxes and contributing immensely to the development of the council and the state at large, there shouldn’t be any discrimination against them because those enjoying government’s goodwill do not have two heads.

“What we are witnessing in Lagos State is nothing but marginalisation. A situation where politicians influence development in some areas in the state for political or personal reasons is bad,” she said.

She appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to rise up to his electoral promises by remembering to give communities in the state a facelift, in a bid to elevate their standard of living.

All efforts to get the reaction of the council’s Executive Secretary was unsuccessful. Even senior officials declined to make any comment on the issue.

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