Residents and motorists have lamented the deteriorating condition of Alfa Nla Road in the Agege area of Lagos State and called for its urgent rehabilitation.
The
condition of the road has caused persistent traffic congestion and hardship for
road users.
The
appeal followed concerns raised over the state of the road, particularly a
badly damaged section that becomes flooded whenever it rains.
This
also made movement difficult for motorists plying the route, which links the
Pen Cinema and Oke-Koto areas of the community.
Residents
told Punch correspondent that the road had remained in a poor condition for
about three years without any intervention from the relevant authorities.
They
noted that the situation had worsened during the rainy season as blocked
drainage channels prevented rainwater from flowing freely.
A
resident, who identified himself simply as Akeem, said motorists and residents
had repeatedly appealed for the rehabilitation of the road without success.
According
to him, the damaged section has become a major source of traffic congestion in
the area, particularly during evening rush hours.
“The
road has been like this for about three years. Once it starts raining, the
water remains here because the drainage is completely blocked. Every day,
motorists struggle to pass through this place,” he said.
Another
resident, Bose Adeyemi, said the condition of the road often forced motorists
to abandon the damaged lane and drive on the opposite side.
She
said, “The traffic is usually terrible from around 6 p.m. Vehicles, especially
commercial buses, are forced to use the other lane while facing oncoming
vehicles. The other lane is now gradually getting damaged due to the pressure
from the traffic.”
While
Adeyemi disclosed this, Punch correspondent observed some buses already driving
against traffic to avoid the damaged section of the road.
A
commercial bus driver, Sulaimon Yusuf, said the poor condition of the road had
increased vehicle maintenance costs.
He
added that drivers were often compelled to slow down to avoid damaging their
vehicles.
“You
have to be very careful when driving through this road, especially when it
rains. Some of the potholes are hidden under the water and can damage your
vehicle if you are not familiar with the lane,” he said.
Residents
blamed the worsening condition of the road on blocked drainage channels along
the affected stretch.
According
to them, the inability of rainwater to flow through the drains has accelerated
the deterioration of the road and increased the risk of flooding.
“If
you look at the side of the road, you will hardly believe there used to be a
drainage there. It has been completely covered and now looks like an ordinary
floor. This happened over time as the road continued to deteriorate,” another
resident who did not want his name in print disclosed.
They
urged the Agege Local Government and the Lagos State Government to intervene
urgently before the road becomes completely impassable.
The
spokesperson for the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Adesina
Odunuga, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday as calls made to his
telephone lines were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be
replied to as of the time this report was filed.
Culled from the Punch
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