Lagos residents urge Sanwo-Olu to replace Olayemi wood bridge
Sanwo-Olu
Worried by the dangerous state of Olayemi wood bridge in Ayobo, residents have called on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to replace the bridge.
The bridge, which is the shortest route to Igando, Isheri and Ikotun, has been abandoned for years and since then constitutes a risk to commuters and pedestrians.
One of the pedestrians, who spoke with The Guardian, said he is grpped by fear whenever he passes through the bridge because he is scared the woods would break.
A tricyclist, who spoke with The Guardian in confidence, said the bridge had been abandoned for a very long time despite the huge sum managers of the bridge collect.
“With the amount we pay them, they are still not carrying out repairs on the bridge and it is getting worse every day, we are only managing it but it’s very risky. All we want is for government to intervene and help us construct a better bridge,” he said.
A student, Emmanuel Adeyinka, told The Guardian, he was usually scared on the bridge whenever on his way to and from school. He urged government to rehabilitate the bridge.
A motorcycle operator, Mohammed Aminu, said the state of the bridge has adversely affected his business because commuters opt for tricycle to avoid the risk posed by the bridge.
He said: “I will be at Olayemi junction for hours without any passenger while more than five tricycles would have gone but I don’t really blame the passengers, they are scared of losing their lives even with the fact that it’s the same amount we charge”.
A passenger, Mrs. Elizabeth Jaiye, said the state of the bridge is disheartening and puts lives of residents in danger.
She said: “They are putting people’s lives in danger because I did not know why the bridge can’t be repaired with the money they collect from pedestrians every day.
“During Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration, he intervened and promised to work on the bridge but since he did not go for a second term, he couldn’t work on it.
“It a great risk but there is no other shortcut, that’s why we prefer plying Olayemi route, the one at Idowu Egba is far to this place, I prefer taking this route because it’s faster.” He urged government to construct a better bridge and not a wooden one.
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