Trouble for motorists as crater takes over NNPC roundabout, Ejigbo, Lagos

For every rainy season, the NNPC roundabout along the Isolo-Ikotun axis becomes a tale of hardship for road users.

Road users are helpless here, especially after officials of Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) close for the day, once darkness takes over.

During peak hours commuters and motorists remain stuck for an average of two hours and 30 minutes.

The traffic build-up begins from the roundabout to inward Isolo down to Gate Bus Stop and down to Iyana Ejigbo Iyana Ejigbo and Powerline Bus Stop.

On July 13 when The Guardian published pictures of the bad spots, officials of the Public Works agency swiftly responded by pouring hardcore. But that has not cured the perennial flooding, which soaks up every effort.

Speaking with The Guardian, a motorist, who identified himself as Lekan said he has left the situation to fate.

Lekan said: “ government people cannot say they are not seeing this road because it has been like this for a very long time. Sometimes, we will see them with sand and other people too will put stones so that we can manage to pass here.”

“ This is past 9 a.m and we all have been dragging to move a few meters. Today is even better. The people coming from Ikotun and those of us going to Iyana-Ejigbo and Ikotun get hooked here. This is where the journey ends.”

While expressing his displeasure, a driver, Fatai Adisa said the road requires proper repair, not palliatives.

“ There is no day you pass this NNPC bust stop, you will not regret it. From the car wash to the roundabout, you can see that everywhere is bad. Some of us will prefer to go through Ijegun road, some will just pass through Gate to get to Ikotun. It is bad and if the government does not do anything road users here will just be frustrated,” he said.

Meanwhile, when The Guardian reached out to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, to ask questions on what are the plans to rehabilitate the road, said before she responds to enquiries, the journalist must present proof of being a resident in Lagos.

Aramide said: “Do me a favour, just send me a text of the details and include your Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) number, let me have your LASRRA number.”

When the reporter pressed for her response she said “ you are not getting what I am saying. It is not enough to get a reaction, send me your LASRRA number as well.”