– The residents of Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun state have lamented the deplorable state of their roads
– They complained that the bad state of the roads have almost crippled their businesses
– The residents wondered why the state government refused to fix the roads despite their pleas
The residents of and business owners in Agbara Industrial Estate, Ogun state said they have suffered the hardship of commuting over the state and federal road network that run through the community for more than ten years.
ZENITHBLOG.com gathered that the roads are in deplorable condition with some parts almost inaccessible as commuters continue to deal with exorbitant transport fares, broken down vehicles and damaged goods worth billions of naira as a result of heavy duty trucks tipping over.
Having received numerous reports and complaints from residents and individuals, ZENITHBLOG.com visited the area to see the situation first hand.
Huge potholes at Agbara market which leads into a community from Badagry Express. Source: Toyosi Popoola
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A resident of the estate, who gave his name as Mr Solomon, shed some light on the situation. He said: “These roads have been like this since I moved here almost 13years ago. The government has just decided to ignore our plight. These past few days of rain was hell, containers and trucks falling here and there, vehicular traffic, even okadas are getting stuck in traffic. Businesses are suffering and lives are at very high risk.
“You can see all these big companies here, because of how bad their business is being affected by the bad roads they even suggested to fix the road themselves despite the heavy duty land use levies and taxes they pay regularly. But I heard that the state government declined because they want to handle the project themselves and yet nothing is being done”
“Do they even care about the masses at all? He queried.
Alhaji Suleiman a truck owner also lamented: “If I had a choice, I would not carry any load coming to Agbara. If not for the long business relationship I have with my clients I would not do it. Some of my colleagues in the business have banned their trucks from coming here. Yes it’s true, because you never know what you will face.
“The roads are so bad; it’s really a high risk for us transporters. Imagine carrying goods worth millions and your truck has an accident because of bad road. You will pay your client for the damages, not to talk of the repair on your truck and danger to resident’s lives.
“They complain that we charge so much, but you cannot compare our transport rates to the value of what we are carrying. It’s really bad. I’m tired of complaining. Like I said, I still come here just to maintain my business relationship; it’s not so profitable when you consider the risks involved”
Zenithblog.com also gathered that the Ogun state Property Investment Corporation is partly responsible for development within the area as they collect levies and taxes from industries resident in the estate. However, we were unable to get any comment from a representative while compiling this report.
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Meanwhile, ZENITHBLOG.com had previously reported that following a major traffic gridlock around Ogere, Ogun state on the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, on Friday March 4, the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who was traveling on the road at that time, had to personally get involved in controlling traffic.
You can also watch this ZENITHBLOG.com video of APC member lamenting on the party’s leadership:
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