Government Residential Areas (GRAs) are traditionally known for their aesthetics, opulence and other features that distinguish the ruling elite. They are often the homes of the society’s crème de la crème.
In terms of organisation and serenity, the GRA ambience is often next to that of the seat of power itself. An exception to that rule, perhaps, is the Ikeja GRA in Lagos.
Way back in the 80s and 90s, the sprawling settlement was famous for its bungalows, few duplexes and bliss. But lately, it has grown into a beehive of commercial activities with walled residential high rises and detached buildings of imposing heights. However, forgotten in this unwieldy developmental explosion too is government’s presence.
Though the neighbourhood is barely 15-minute drive from the State House in Alausa, Ikeja GRA seems light years behind Alausa in terms of quality road infrastructure and accessibility.
For a fact, the GRA houses the official residence of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly – in ranking, the number three citizen of the state.
Beyond and into the heart of the GRA are horrendous road networks, unkempt bends and dilapidated stretches that mirror years of abandonment. Take for instance, Oba Akinjobi Way (on the Maryland end); ever-busy Adekunle Fajuyi Way, Remi Fani-Kayode Avenue, Sobo Arobiodu, Oduduwa Way, Ife Ariyo, Esugbayi and Sasegbon streets. Those roads are unbefitting of leaders they supposedly represent.
The Lagos State government had last year pledged commitment to regeneration of key infrastructure in the axis, with focus on perennial flooding due to lack of drainage. Not much has been achieved on this till date and much to the pains of residents.
A resident, Shedrack Nweke, said: “The major problem here is the state of the road. This is Fani Kayode Street; it is completely bad from beginning to the end. All of us, including the rich people, are all suffering. This is a road that has been like this for over three years. Why?”
Another resident on Oba Akinjobi Way lamented that the road had been unkempt for over 10 years.
“Nobody has thought of repairing it and motorists are passing the road being one of the major access roads into the GRA. The government has rarely bothered about infrastructure and all the big people are just minding their own business. It is unfortunate.”
Motorists commuting domestic workers, visitors and others are also having their fair share of the discomfort. A mini-bus driver, Johnson Agwu, said: “I think the government has started work on a few of the roads, but they have been on them for too long. The entire GRA needs the government’s attention.”
Another motorist, Ikechukwu Aneke, said with the roads in bad shape, transporters are suffering routine damages to their vehicles. “It is always bad tyres or broken ball joints, for us. Imagine having to repair a ball joint for N10, 000 every other week, just because of the bad roads. I used to service this vehicle at two-month intervals. Since the rainy season started, the roads have lost shape ever, it has been every month.
Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mojeed Balogun, said the GRA projects belong to the state government. Balogun noted that there is a problem of channelisation of drainages in GRA generally. According to him, the state is making sure that the drainages are channelled. “It is a state project; it is not a local government project. But the state is trying to channel the drainage before they come back to the roads. I think that is exactly what is causing the delay and considering the weather as well. It might be one of the reasons why such areas are still like that.”
