For years, residents and commuters along the Agric-Isawo axis of Ikorodu endured flooded roads, difficult bridge crossings and journeys that often turned into hours of frustration.

But that hardship is easing, following the opening of the inbound section of the AFA Bridge to traffic.

The opening has brought relief to residents who have long struggled to navigate the area, even as work continues on the outbound carriageway.

A commuter, Emmanuel Dickson, described the development as a dream come true.

“I don’t know how to start, but I just want to thank the Lagos State Government and Governor Sanwo-Olu for this great job. As a resident of this area, I didn’t believe that I would personally drive and cross this road today.

“It is like a dream come true because we have suffered a lot on this road. But today, I drove past it. Kudos to the Lagos State Government,” he said.

The opening followed an inspection of ongoing road and bridge projects by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Olutokunbo Oyenuga, and other technical directors.

At the Asolo Bridge section of the Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road reconstruction and rehabilitation project, Daramola said work was progressing well.

“There is good progress on the bridge works. I am happy to tell you that the inbound section of AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road has been opened to traffic. Commuters can now safely use this section of the bridge.

“It is bye-bye to driving through the floodplain. Construction, however, continues on the outbound section,” he said.

Oyenuga urged motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution, noting that the area remained a construction zone.

He advised motorists to obey speed limits and traffic instructions and warned against unauthorised bus stops and passenger loading around the bridge.

Pedestrians, he added, should use designated walkways and keep away from construction areas.

The Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, commended the state government for addressing the difficulties faced by residents and road users and pledged the council’s support for proper management and maintenance of the infrastructure.

The Baale of Ajagunro-Owutu, Chief S.O. Orepitan Iwofun, said residents of the Isawo axis had endured considerable hardship because of the road’s condition.

He described the opening as a welcome relief and pledged the community’s cooperation in ensuring compliance with government directives.

The General Secretary of the Community Development Committee, Ikorodu West LCDA/Road Committee, Abiodun Dare Sunday, said the community’s long wait had finally yielded results.

“After years of patience, endurance and inconvenience, relief is finally here. No more wallowing through floodwater. No more climbing the staircase to get to the bridge deck,” he said.

The inspection team also visited the ongoing rehabilitation of Itowolo Bridge and reconstruction of Aruna U-Turn in Ikorodu Local Government Area.

The Baale of Itowolo, Chief Sikiru Kolawole Aregbeshola, said the rehabilitation addressed a longstanding concern in the community.

“We have repeatedly appealed for government intervention, and we are grateful that our concerns have finally been heard,” he said, adding that the project would improve mobility and make transportation safer and easier for residents.

At Mile 12 in Kosofe Local Council, the team inspected the Maidan-Patele Link Bridge and Approach Roads project, which will upgrade the existing pedestrian bridge to accommodate vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

A resident, Dennis Adeola, said the pedestrian bridge had been unusable for almost four years, forcing residents to rely on canoes, particularly during rainfall.

He said the situation had been particularly difficult for elderly residents and caused long queues and delays.

“We sincerely appreciate the Lagos State Government for urgently addressing the bridge problem and restoring safe and easy access for everyone in our community,” Adeola said.

Daramola said the projects were part of the administration’s investment in road and bridge infrastructure across the state.

“Today is just part of our routine inspection. You can recall that Mr Governor has commissioned and rehabilitated hundreds of roads across the state. Today has allowed us to go around and look at some of our ongoing road and bridge projects,” he said.

He assured residents that the projects would be completed on schedule and urged road users to obey traffic signs and stay clear of construction areas.

Daramola also appealed to residents to protect the infrastructure, stressing that the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money.

He added that the government would work with relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement and sensitise residents on the need to protect public infrastructure.