The long-awaited dualisation of Ojo Road–Boundary Market in Ajegunle, Lagos State, has commenced after years of promises and delays. The project, however, has been greeted with mixed feelings from residents, many of whose homes and shops have been marked for demolition.

Residents told The Guardian that several stakeholder meetings had been held with government representatives, and while some expressed relief that the project had finally kicked off, others lamented the impact on their livelihoods.

The Manager of Feedwell Bakery, Linus Ugochuwku, said: “It’s a great development that was informed a year ago, and recently, our Community Development Area (CDA) also came to inform us. Three days later, they started the reconstruction of the road.”

But a trader, Jelilat Wasiu, expressed dissatisfaction, saying: “I was not informed until the day they came for marking, and the second day they started the demolition. The government should please allow us to manage the remaining space because this is where we make a living.”

Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Layeni West, Thomas Akinwola, welcomed the project, stressing its importance to the area’s growth.

“We appreciate the government for constructing roads in our community. Some people are affected, but for a community to grow, you need roads and lights, and I believe all these work together. We thank our present assembly member for bringing down this project to our constituency,” he said.