Wallowing Under the Burden Of Democracy

Piggyback business thrives

When the 16^th president of the United States of America, Abraham Lincoln described democracy as the government of the people by the people for the people, he was perhaps oblivious of the fate that await residents of communities bordering Ogun with Lagos State.

The residents keep pondering if their communities are under any state or local government jurisdiction because of the level of abandonment of the areas. Good water is a pipe dream while good road networks are at best non-existence. It is even nightmarish to live in the communities during raining season.

People are carried across the road with the aid of a canoe    

In the latter part of 2011, a year that ushered in the current administration in Ogun State, there was a deluge caused by a combination of heavy rains and the release of an overflowing dam. Linking Lagos from Akute through Denro-Ishasi or Alagbole was hellish. Now, fast forward to the present, the floods are back and the anguish by commuters on the roads is better imagined.

Backing Mother and Child at a price

The current construction of a fly-over bridge on Alagbole axis has further compounded the troubles of people moving on the route because the construction work has consistently progressed on a snail speed. The alternative road to link Lagos, which is Denro-Ishasi is also in a terrible state of disrepair, while some portions of the road could compete with the Lagos lagoon in depth and size of the body of water.

Both car owners and commercial transporters do not feel the impact of government    

Vehicles break down regularly

Chairman of Akute Community Development Association (CDA), Sani Mubarak, described life in the area as unbearable. “In 2011, government officials came to assess the situation of our area and promised to erect a new bridge on the portion linking Denro with Ojodu. It has since remained a promise and now we are back to square one.”

Sorrow, tears and anguish

Amphibious cars? No!

Asked on what efforts they are making to bring the situation to the notice of the state government, Mubarak said the CDA’s hold meetings with the commissioner for community development on quarterly basis and people’s yearnings and needs are brought to the table at such forum. He also said that the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun passes through the roads occasionally but has not brought succor to the people.

During rainy season, residents suffer daily as they commute on Denro-Ishasi road

Pains of neglect

Now, people are carried across the road either on the back of some boys or even with the aid of a canoe!

On Denro Bridge, it is the same hellish experience after every downpour