Julius Berger repairs Ajegunle link road abandoned for 14 yrs
After several campaigns by Vanguard to draw the attention of the Lagos State Government to the deplorable state of the road which links the popular ghetto community, Ajegunle to the ever-busy Oshodi/Apapa expressway, residents, Sunday, heaved sigh of relief as construction giant, Julius Berger, JB, Plc commenced repairs on the road. The road was abandoned for at least 14 years.
Vanguard gathered that the ongoing palliative measures which commenced Saturday, had forced residents entering and leaving the community through the Ottor-Wharf Bus-stop, to trek long distances for two days running.
Ajegunle link road (before repair)
Residents, who spoke to Vanguard, described the road as horrible and difficult to access during rainy period, lamenting that it has been neglected by successive administrations in the state, even as several appeals for major repairs have fallen on deaf ears.
Vanguard had reported the horrible state of the road to draw the state government’s attention to the sufferings of residents, who lamented that the road was becoming a safe haven for hoodlums, who have hijacked the situation to dispossess them of monies and other valuables, especially early in the morning and late evenings on May 20, 2013; May 6 and June 17, 2014.
Abdication of responsibilities
Commenting on the repair, the Vice Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW, Oregie unit, St. Matthew Daniels, who berated the state and local authorities for abdicating their responsibility in fixing the road to Julius Berger Plc said: “We thank God for touching Julius Berger’s heart to come to our aid, since the local and the state governments have failed to fix this road for over 14 years.
‘’Although, our union has been doing its best providing palliatives on the road which has gulped millions of naira from levies paid by drivers. So, for the construction firm to bear the cost of fixing this road today, is a shame on the tiers of government.
“We are embarrassed because these are the same people that will come begging for our votes during elections.
‘’Infact, the drivers plying this route recently thought of barricading the council secretariat to express their dissatisfaction, but we pleaded with them to calm down, that the union shall provide palliatives as usual but luckily, Julius Berger decided to do the job and they have been on it in the last two days.”
Tajudeen Tiamyu, a driver who alleged that the state government had been insensitive to their plight for years said; “Over the years, government has not lived up to its responsibility to repair this road. Drivers have really suffered plying it as our buses always develop faults. Infact, it was hell for us. But with this repair, at least, the road will last us for some period. However, I hope that after the 2015 general elections, another administration in Lagos will do a major repair once and for all.”
Ajegunle link road (After Repair)
I am vindicated– LG boss
However, the Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Council Chairman, Kamal Bayewu, who was on ground with some of the council officials to admire the work by the construction giant, described the gesture as an act of the company fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR, to the community.
Elated Kamal who stated that the development has vindicated him of rumours that he demanded huge sum of money from Julius Berger Plc before the road could be fixed, however thanked the company for the kind gesture. He said: “With this kind gesture, they are living out their corporate social responsibility, by giving back to the society. We have been appealing to them to come to our aid, because we know they have the wherewithal to fix the road. So, we thank God today, that they have done the needful.”
Meanwhile, when contacted, Julius Berger spokesperson, Mr. Clement Iloba said: “Our company decided to fix this road in fulfilment of our Corporate Social Responsibility wherever we operate.”
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