GOV. FASHOLA AND ISHERI-OSHUN ROADS REHABILITATION!
Gov. Raji Babatunde Fashola came in as the governor of Lagos in 2007, and between then and 2010 he performed wonderfully well especially on road construction and rehabilitation to the admiration of majority of Lagosians who then promised him their votes for second term during the 2011 gubernatorial elections. And, indeed that happened as he was massively voted for during the governorship elections that year. In fact, he did not need to campaign much to convince the people of Lagos to vote for him to be elected second time as his works speak volume. Since, assumption of office in May, 2011, Lagos citizens expected the governor to continue in his developmental achievements but, that has become a mirage and the people are groaning in anger over failing and dilapidating infrastructures.
A trip round Lagos few weeks ago, has shown a state that is fast decaying, showing complete abandonment of the people to their fate. For instance, the Jakande Estate – Bucknor – Isheri-Oshun – Ijegun and Ikotun roads are completely bad, very un-motorable and could be described as best an embarrassment and disgrace to the existing government in the state. These roads has been under construction since the beginning of the first tenure of this government and, it has been literarily abandoned subjecting the people to a terrible experience, torture and agony on a daily basis as they go about for their daily bread. In the run off to the 2011 elections, Gov Fashola made it one of his campaign promises when he promised that the roads will be taken seriously so as to save the people from the untold hardship they usually face because of the bad nature of the road. According to records available, the roads mentioned above appeared on the list of roads that would immediately be constructed once he is elected into power.
The Governor, after been sworn into office in May, 2011, the rains came down heavy and the people of Isheri-Oshun and its environ were told by Gov. Fashola led government to be patient till after the rains as no road can endure rehabilitation during the rains. We are almost at the end of 2012, yet there is no hope for the people as far as these roads are concerned. There is no day vehicles do not break down on these roads, this has necessitated private car owners to park their vehicles at home while they patronize public transporters and okada riders to take them to their destinations or possibly drop them off at Jakande-Gate bus stop. During the rains this year, movement was paralyzed in this community due to the flooding between Jakande Gate and Isheri Oshun, vehicles could not meander neither, could the people swim across it. It was reported in the media that students living in this community momentarily stopped going to school because the roads were impassable, thereby lost writing some of their School Certificate Examinations. Men and women also, could not go to their places of work; residents of the area were completely cut-off from the rest of the state within the period the flood lasted.
The rains have subsidized and the people are pondering? would the state government led by Gov. Fashola remember that they exist by coming to construct the road once and for all? Would the man they elected into power as the Chief Executive of the State come to their rescue? The roads when left undone this dry season will further worsen the people’s hardship and complicate their health problems due to the thick dust that would emanate from it. The road is strategic and would be of a big relief to a lot of Lagosians who use the road daily, the road when done would help decongest traffic along Okota – Cele bust stop, as some would prefer to link Ago Palace Way, Mile 2 and Festac Town through Bucknor and Ijegun ends.
Written By Uzodinma Nwaogbe