Residents protest as Governor inaugurates road

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday inaugurated the newly constructed 736-metre road project at Kalejaye Street in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area of the state.

The inauguration came as some residents expressed reservation about the state of the road, saying the contractor that handled it needed to do more work.

Ambode, represented by Mr Ganiyu Johnson, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, said that the road was part of the 114 roads being constructed across the state at a total cost of N19.4 billion.

He enjoined the people 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,’’ the governor said.

However, some residents of the area expressed their dissatisfaction with the government for going ahead with the inauguration in spite of some issues raised.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr Akinsola Olabodun, said they had several complaints about the construction of the road.

“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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the residents had earlier appealed to the government to halt the inauguration of the project due to its poor construction.

They told NAN that the road, which serves as both exit and entry point to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, was poorly constructed by the contractor that handled it.