Residents urge Lagos government to fix bad road in Ajao Estate

Residents of Fatai Irawo Street in Ajao Estate, Lagos State, are asking the government to fix their road. They say the bad condition of the road is dangerous for people, cars, and businesses.

Community members also praised the government for the ongoing drainage work in the area.

During a visit to the area on Thursday, PUNCH Metro found that the drainage project aims to tackle erosion and flooding problems affecting the community.

While residents appreciate the drainage work, they are upset that it does not include fixing the bad road.

Ugo Chukwu, a resident who has lived there for five years, said the road is a constant safety issue.
“This road has been causing accidents. Sometimes, when trailers are passing, we are scared they might fall,” he said.

Another resident, a hairstylist named Amarachi, has lived in the area for 17 years. She said the road’s poor state has hurt local businesses.
“We are not selling anything because vehicles don’t pass here. Nobody wants to use this road because it damages cars,” she said.

Joy, a trader in the area, also mentioned the road’s problems, especially during the rainy season.
“Many cars get damaged here, so they don’t pass again. During rain, everywhere is muddy and flooded,” she said.

She added that fixing the road would help people move around better and bring in more customers, boosting business in the area.

Although residents saw construction workers at the site, PUNCH Metro learned that the current project only focuses on drainage.

A construction worker, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that they are only working on the gutters.
“People complained about erosion, so we are repairing the gutters. It’s not the road we are working on,” he said.

Laja Fowokan, vice chairman of the Community Development Association, said residents have often asked the government to help with the road.
He also mentioned that the local government has been slow to respond.

Fowokan highlighted the area’s importance, noting its closeness to the airport and the level of economic activity there.
“We have gone to the government office and tried our best to push for intervention. The road has affected residents, from damaged cars to serious traffic.

“The local government is not always fast enough. Sometimes you report and nothing happens until it gets to the state level.

“To show you how critical and strategic this place is, a lot of movement comes through the airport, and the revenue generated is significant,” he said.

While he appreciates the start of drainage work, Fowokan said residents still hope for a full repair of the road.
“The residents are happy that something is being done, but we are hoping they will fix the road completely,” he said.

Residents are appealing to the Lagos State Government to speed up road repairs. They believe that better infrastructure will improve movement, lower accidents, and boost economic activities in the area.

When contacted on Thursday, Adeshina Odunuga, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Works, refused to speak to a journalist he did not know.
He said our correspondent should find someone to introduce her before he would answer any questions.
“I don’t know you! I don’t know you! Someone has to introduce you if you are from PUNCH. I can’t just be talking to someone I don’t know. Tell someone to introduce you to me,” Odunuga said.