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Residents bemoan carnage along winding Ikotun-Igando road

By Omiko Awa
07 July 2019   |   4:02 am
Residents of Ikotun-Igando Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos State are losing sleep over incessant auto crashes on the road. Constructed during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the over three-kilometre road has contributed immensely to opening up Akesan, Obadore, Ijegun and other communities around the Ikotun axis in the Ikotun/Igando Local Council Development Area…

Sanwo-Olu

Residents of Ikotun-Igando Road in the Ikotun area of Lagos State are losing sleep over incessant auto crashes on the road.

Constructed during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, the over three-kilometre road has contributed immensely to opening up Akesan, Obadore, Ijegun and other communities around the Ikotun axis in the Ikotun/Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

But the same road has now become a source of misery to residents and businesses owners, as hardly a month passes without a vehicle or two running into a house, or running over the median to crash into another vehicle, motorcycle or a pedestrian.

Some residents and motorists blame these mishaps on the absence of road signs to warn users, especially those plying the road for the first time, or at night, of the sharp corners and bends, which constitute serious danger.

They further alleged that the state government in order not to destroy some traditional homes, or pay compensation elected to construct the snaky road not minding the consequences.

According to Waheed Alade who resides within the neighbourhood, the median is very low, vehicles, especially articulated ones easily run over to the opposite lane, and sometimes end up in residential buildings.

He therefore, canvassed raising the median and erecting speed breakers in order to check excess speed and the resultant loss of lives and property.

He disclosed that the Hand of Fire Church, College and Ejo bus-stops were some of the most dangerous points on the road, stressing that constructing speed breakers on these spots would go a long way in preventing accidents, as vehicles would be forced to slow down and gently manoeuvre the dangerous bends.

Another resident of the neighborhood who simply identified herself as Alhaja Saidat, said on two occasions vehicles have run into her building, tearing down the shops in the front of the main building and injuring people.

She described the road as being too narrow for trailers and tankers to ply, saying most of them find it difficult to effectively navigate their way through the bends, which are too near to each other.

According to her, a few weeks ago, the road was closed for hours and students of the Community School at College Bus-stop sent back home after a fuel-ladden tanker fell across it.

The landlady noted that more accidents happen on the road at night and in the early hours of the day because there are no streetlights and reflective road signs to aide drivers navigate safely.

Contrary to the belief of some people that incessant mishaps on the road were caused by some blood-sucking deities, she said the truth is that part of the road is sloppy and winding, consequently, those not familiar with the terrain lose control easily and crash.

Because of the incessant crashes, she said prospective tenants are wary of hiring shops that are close to the road for fear of being crushed to death by vehicles.

The Guardian gathered that some concerned citizens have approached the Ikotun-Igando LCDA to see what can be done to stem the tide, but they returned with no favourable answer.

Alhaji Batunde Ahmed, who claimed to have visited the LCDA headquarters over the issue, noted that each time he and members of his group make the trip, they are always directed to take their complaint to the governor at Alausa, Ikeja.

Ahmed disclosed that although the population of the area has contributed to the heavy traffic often experienced on the road, the state government should begin to explore ways of resolving the situation because the road serves as a link to other communities and two markets- Ikotun and Igando, which are the economic hubs of the area.

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