Thursday 26 September 2013

Residents lament infrastructure decay

A street in Akoka

Residents of the Akoka area of Lagos State have lamented the poor state of their roads, poor drainage channels and increasing insecurity in the community.
The residents expressed their dissatisfaction at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Akoka Community Development Association.
The ACDA Chairman, Mr. Segun Adesanya, explained that there was a need for both the state and the local governments to come to the aid of the community.
Adesanya said the association had compiled projects that would enhance the standard of living in the community.
He added that about N28m would be needed for the construction of new drainages, boreholes, rehabilitation of some roads, provision of street lights, refuse bins and the purchase of transformers. He added that both tiers of government could afford it.
The ACDA chairman said, “Our community is in need of a proper drainage system. During the rainy season, the whole community is usually flooded. Rejuvenating this community is a major project that requires the attention of both state and local governments.
“Owing to the poor drainage system and lack of adequate maintenance culture,  our roads are in a deplorable state. We will appreciate if there is a continuous construction and maintenance programme in place for our community. Most of our projects really require the intervention of government.”
The Vice-Chairman, ACDA, Mr. Adesoye Adebiyi, described the state of security in the area as frightening. He added that efforts to combat flooding by the residents had proved futile.
He said, “When it rains, the flood here is terrible. I will not say this area has been neglected by the government but the fact is that they have not done enough. There is still a lot to be done.
“The security situation has deteriorated and it is part of the reason we are here today. In the past, armed robbery was alien to this community. But now, everybody is mounting gates, every street also has security men.
“The police are doing their best and have been dislodging some of them at the Bariga end. Because of that, they are running to Akoka. That is why we want to have street lights so that they can easily be spotted.”
The Divisional Police Officer for Bariga, Edmund Afraimu, advised the residents to always provide information to the police in order to tackle security challenges in the community.

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