For 25 years, the Lagos State Government has been planning to construct a second access road to link Oworonshoki with other parts of the megacity. Last week, it took its first step towards the realisation of the dream, with the demolition of a storey building to make way for the road. Stakeholders are upbeat about the economic buoyancy coming with this effort, MUYIWA LUCAS reports.
All hope seemed lost! For over 25 years, Oworonshoki community in Lagos was cut off from any meaningful economic exercise: it watched helplessly as businesses either shunned moving into the area or closed because of poor patronage. The real estate market in the area also suffered greatly as realtors and investors did not consider the ancient town for investments.
But things are about to change as fresh hopes beckon. The community is the beneficiary of one of the 114 access roads to be constructed by Lagos State. When completed, the road will bring the community into reckoning and rekindle its economic relevance. This, it is believed, is the mission of Governor Akinwumi Ambode.
However, for such development to take place, some people will have to make sacrifices. So, at 10 a.m last Monday, a storey building, with approved plan number DCB/2687/45A granted on February 14, 1978, gave way for what would be the new face of Oworonshoki. The building, belonging to Chief Afolabi Yusuf, was brought down after being identified as an encumbrance on the right of way for the road; while 11 walls, 16 shops, and four other buildings would be affected minimally.
Although the landlord was not available to comment on whether compensation was paid to him or not, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Anofi Elegushi, said compensation had been paid.
“As an administration, which cares for its citizens, we have met with those involved with a view to compensating them. In the case of the house that was demolished, compensation has been paid. Those with minimal demolition will also be compensated by way of replacement of fence walls, among other things,” Elegushi said.
The new access road is designed as a single carriage way of 7.3 meters with drainage on both sides; three bus stops, and one large culvert. It will be the second road in and out of Oworonshoki, and on Oduduwa Road, running parallel to the Third Mainland Bridge from Olopomeji end of the express. It will have an inlet, passing through Car Wash to Ifako Junction, before exiting into the expressway.
The Project Director, Fountain Construction Company (FCC), Thomas Cunning, said the project was targeted at reducing the buses that stop on the expressway.
“Therefore, it becomes imperative that the building is demolished. The building is being removed to make way for another bus path in Iyana Oworo. Of course, it provides good infrastructure and development to the local environment. The duration is three months and Oworonshoki will be opened up,” he assured.
Kosofe Local Government Sole Administrator, Mrs. Adejumoke Animawun, said for over three decades, the Oworonshoki community had waited to be opened up, especially after being cut off by the Third Mainland Bridge.
Mrs Animawun thanked Ambode for coming to wipe away the tears of the community.
“We have wanted this for over three decades. It will bring a lot of development to this community and local government. It is sad that we have had only one road for over 30 years, because even for security reasons, it is not good to have one road in a community,” she said.
The Group Managing Director, St. Daniels’ Hospital, Oworonshoki, Dr Joseph Tijani, hailed the government for “this developmental phase that is coming to Oworonshoki”. Hitherto, Tijani said, the Oworonshoki community was a garrison – one way entrance and exit. Although his hospital fence, measuring about 1.6 metres, will be affected by the construction, he said there was no ill feeling because it is for developmental purpose.
“You have to lose something to gain something. In principle, government has promised to compensate us after the demolition of our fence, but we are yet to get anything. However, I am sure that the compensation is in the offing. This road will make my business more accessible,” he explained.
A joyous community
While the demolition lasted, one thing was very clear – the community was joyous – a sharp contrast to what usually obtains when government pulls down any building. The Youth President of Oworonshoki, Mr. Akinyemi Somorin, said there was no way the community would be up in arms against the contractor or government over the project because, since 1990, their community has been agitating for a second access road, after the completion of the Third Mainland Bridge, which cut off the community completely.
The Council of Oworonshoki Youth Forum (COYF) General Secretary, Mr. Kabiawu Babajide, explained joyous mood of the people to be a reflection of their understanding of of the attendant benefits of the project. For instance, he said, opening up the second access road would mean that more business would flood the community, and open it up to more development.
“People in Oworonshoki are no more living in the dark age; our eyes have been opened, so we know what is good for us and that is why when it comes to development, we always embrace it. We have been praying for this for over 25 years, so we are happy that it is now happening. It is not the building that matters, but the development coming to this community, because it will create more jobs for everybody,” Babajide said, adding that the demolished building had been a major constraint to opening up the community.
Youth leader Abayomi Ogunrinde said the people were jubilant because the second access road, when completed in three months, would not only open up the community, but also turn the area to “another London.”
“If this road is not done, Oworonshoki will still remain a village. This place is at sea level and we pray not to have any disaster in this area because there will not be an escape route if this road is not built. With this road, Oworo will enjoy the influx of big time firms, different banks, police station, etc. We can now boldly say that we are now in the real Lagos State with the commencement of work on this road,” Ogunrinde said.
The Bashorun of Oworonshoki Land, Chief Aremu Jelili Lawal, said it was painful that Oworonshoki community, which he claimed has a population of about four million, had only one access road.
Economic improvement
The Community Development Committee (CDC) Vice Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Rasheed Awofeso, was convinced that once the road is completed it would improve the economic base of Oworonshoki and its environs.
Presently, according to him, the area is backward in terms of economic development. For instance, he revealed that it was just last year that a filling station was established in the community. “Businesses will come here based on infrastructural development available. Surely, development will also come with pains and gains. We are happy to be part of this process,” he said.
Lawal told The Nation that many companies had wanted to come to the community to establish businesses but changed their mind, with complaints about the area being a one road community. Therefore, he reasoned, demolishing the building for a second access road is a good development for the community. He revealed that the community has been discussing with the owners of the building for over 20 years.
“Several businesses will come in. Look at First Bank Plc over there; they have completed their office building over three years ago, but it has not commenced operation because of lack of a second road. I am sure once this road is done, the bank will start operation and this will reduce the problem of its customers in this community, who always go to Ifako to transact their businesses. More companies will also come in,” he said.
The General Secretary, CDC Kosofe Local Government, Mr. Segun Babatunde, shared the views of both Lawal and Awofeso, maintaining that the second access road, on completion, will ensure that business activities pick up, while investors will come in, and the community will boom economically.
Employment
At the moment, the community seems happy with the contractor handling the project, FCC. No fewer than 50 youths in the community have been employed for the various aspect of the project. Besides, an earlier project, the Iyana-Oworo layback, constructed by the firm at Berger Bus stop within the community, appears to have endeared the community to the firm.
“FCC has employed some of our youths for this job. FCC has done marvellously well, it has built a good road at Berger. We believe that the company will also do a quality job like it did at Berger bus stop. It has been doing a lot within this community, the lay-back it built at Berger bus stop is fantastic, which has eased the tension along third mainland bridge. Over 15 youths are working with them presently and we are satisfied with what it has done so far. We believe more youths will join the firm,” Babajide said.
Cunniang explained that any community where his firm works always provides 10 to 15 per cent of its workforce. “Everywhere FCC works we bring along indigenous workers to work along with our own skilled personnel,” he said.
More requests
Like an Oliver Twist, the Oworonshoki community has not failed to ask for more. Babatunde, who spoke on behalf of the people, appealed to the government to enhance the effectiveness of the road by building another road to pass beneath the bridge to serve as a U-turn for access to either side of the road. This, they said, would also ensure that commuters do not have to drive all the way to Ogudu to turn in or out of Oworonshoki.
Babatunde further said the community is also eagerly awaiting the commencement of the construction of a jetty, which he noted, has been approved by the governor. “When this is done, Oworonshoki will become a peninsula and people will be able to commute by sea. So, Oworonshoki has been opened to the world and investors will definitely come here,” he said.
