The Lagos State governor, Mr. Adewunmi Ambode, has commissioned the poorly constructed Kalejaye Street/Sunday Sholola Road, Mafoluku in Oshodi/Isolo local government area despite protests by the residents.
The road forms part of the N10.8 billion set aside by the Lagos State government for the construction of 114 roads in the 20 local government and 37 local council development areas in the state.
The contractor handling the project, Jumbo Engineering Limited, has been at loggerheads with the residents over the quality of work done.
News Gazette observed that from Mr. Biggs junction down to the beginning of the road around Beesam Hotel, some portions on both sides of the newly tarred road are water-locked.
It was also observed that in the middle of the road, water collects in shallow depression on the ground.
However, Ambode who was represented at the commissioning by the state’s commissioner for works, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, said the 736-metre road was part of the 114 roads being constructed across the state.
He said N19.4 billion was spent in the construction of the 114 roads and charged the residents of the community to take ownership of the project.
“Let me therefore appeal to our elders, the youths and indeed the entire residents to guard jealously the infrastructure provided by the government so that additional projects can come to your communities,” he said.
He also urged them to address the menace of cultism, kidnapping, miscreants, vandalism and hoodlums by providing timely information to security agencies.
But some residents who spoke to News Gazette lamented that the governor had gone ahead to commission the project despite the shoddy work.
“Some portions of the road sank after the first rain. It will not be long before the road collapses. When you look at the work done, it is shoddy and below standard. You build a road but after the rain, flood water does not drain properly into the gutters. I feel that since the road was neglected for so long, it should have been given to an experienced contractor. Besides, it is the only spur between the local airport and international. So, it should be treated as a major road,” said a resident, Yinka Babatunde.
Another resident, Akinsola Olabodun, said they had several complaints about the construction.
“From day one, we have been complaining about the road. From the beginning to the end, the road is very bad. We have been complaining until today that the road is not due for inauguration. We want the government to call the contractor to come and repair the road,” he said.