The flag off of the road PHOTO: GOODNESS SUNDAY
The road, which cuts across Abudu Street, has been in a state of disrepair for years, prompting protests by the community to draw the attention of the authorities.
The Guardian learnt that the road is among the 114 roads approved for reconstruction in the states 2024 budget and part of a constituency project done in collaboration with the local council.
State House of Assemblys representative for Mainland Constituency 2, Adebola Shabi, reportedly sponsored the project.
However, the reconstruction and expansion of the road came with a price following removal of 2.25m and 1.5m structures encroaching the drainage channel .
Some residents, who applauded the governments intervention, however, lamented that the road expansion has rendered them homeless as some of them live in their shopsto make ends meet.
Some decried the unexpected removal of their structures on the road without prior information.
One of the community leaders, Rasak Kolawole Osho thanked the government for the development.
According to him, the community has long been praying for the project.
An elated resident, Queen Aduba, thanked the State government for remembering them, saying her business has severely been affected by the dilapidated road.
When it rains, this place becomes muddy. We do not have access to good roads and our customers could not drive in to partronise us.
The road construction is already taking place, they are excavating the drains and packing them at once. They started working as early as 7:30 a.m. this morning. We know that there will be light at the end of the tunnel, she said.
Also, a property owner in the area, Raji Bakere, expressed happiness with the development, saying it will address theparking space challenges in the community.
Another shop owner, Princess Morenikeji also complained about the frustration they face during the rainy season and called for early completion.
I am always unhappy with the condition of the road, but I am glad that the construction is happening. As you can see, they want to do the drainage. It is for our own good and I thank God for that, she stated.
On her part, a shop owner, Angela Sule, said though the intervention is coming a bit late because of the negative impact on their businesses, it was better late than never.
According to her, residents and businesses have suffered greatly on the road in the past years because it is always flooded when it rains.
Sule, however, lamented the planned removal of her shop for the road expansion.
I feed from the shop alone and I also live in the shop. Now, I will have to squat with people and keep my belongings under the stairs there. If they can please help and assist us, it will be good, she pleaded.
Peter Umana, who was pleased with the flag off, however, pleaded for early completion of the project.
According to him, this is not the first time a move to construct roads in the community has been made.
They came severally to measure the roads and after a while we did not see them take any step. They never proceeded to execute their plans. I am very surprised to see them this time to mark where to dig.
Right now, I am not happy because it came to me unaware. We never thought this could happen, especially now that things are quite expensive and the prices of goods are inflating.
Peter expressed fears that if the work isdelayed or abandoned, his business will be affected by the flood as the extension protecting his business has been removed.
Meanwhile, Shabi, who was accompanied at the flag off by the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Chief Engineer, Usman Ibrahim andchairman, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Dr Kayode Omiyale said the road will featurestreet lights, new drains, new road materials and speed breaks for pedestrians.
In his remarks, the Yaba LCDA boss noted the importance of Abule Oja, saying that it deserves a better development for its link to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), and Federal College of Education (FCE).
Ibrahim said the road will be constructed with interlocking and paving stones because of the texture of the land and will be completed in 12 months.
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