“I respectfully appeal to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to graciously give this important road the urgent attention it deserves.”
By Abdul-Mumin Abdul-Quadir
For residents, motorists and business owners along the Amule/Ashipa Road in Ayobo-Ipaja, daily commuting has become a nightmare due to the deplorable condition of the road.
The rainy season has only worsened the situation, forcing some commuters to abandon the route for longer alternatives, while others have no choice but to endure the hardship.
Amule/Ashipa Road is strategic, serving as a major link for more than 21 communities. It provides daily access for thousands of residents, commuters, businesses, schools and healthcare facilities.
Unfortunately, its current condition continues to pose serious challenges, causing hardship, increasing travel time and affecting economic activities within the axis.
Ahmed Oladehinde, chairman of motorcycle (Okada) operators in the area, has operated along the route for many years. He said the poor condition of the road has severely affected both his business and those of his colleagues.
“Many road users have already boycotted this road, and that affects us. Our trade is not thriving and that’s because right from Amule Bus Stop here down to Isokan, the road is very bad. The situation is alarming,” he told Community Standard.
Only recently, the Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Abiodun Lukmon Agbaje, appealed to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to approve the urgent rehabilitation of the road, describing the project as a critical intervention that would significantly improve the lives of thousands of residents.
Speaking during his appearance on TVC Breakfas Show, the chairman drew attention to the deteriorating condition of the road, noting that it has become a source of hardship for motorists, commuters, business owners, students and other road users.
According to Agbaje, rehabilitating the road will not only ease transportation but also stimulate commerce, enhance connectivity and improve the overall quality of life for residents.
“The rehabilitation of the Amule/Ashipa Road will bring immense relief and joy to the people of this axis. I respectfully appeal to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to graciously give this important road the urgent attention it deserves. We remain confident in your responsive leadership and unwavering dedication to improving the quality of life of Lagosians,” Hon. Agbaje stated.
The chairman’s appeal could not have come at a better time, given the urgent need for concrete action. As observed by Oladehinde, there have been several promises of intervention in the past, none of which materialised.
“I’ve been on this road long enough,” he said. “We’ve been lamenting the state of this road for a very long time, and all we’ve ever gotten is one promise after another. The last we heard was that it would be fixed before or by February, but this is July, and there’s nothing to show that progress has been made. Now, 2027 is just a few months away, and attention will soon shift to elections.”
Oladehinde is not optimistic that government intervention will come anytime soon.
“Without doubt, there’s a very slim chance that they will consider us now. Sadly, we’re actually going through a lot here because the state of the road is not palatable. People are really suffering. As bike riders, if we use this road after washing our motorcycles, frustration will set in.”
According to him, many road users have abandoned the route, with a corresponding negative impact on their businesses.
“Our trade is not thriving because right from Amule Bus Stop down to Isokan, the road is in a terrible condition. The situation is alarming.”
Odunewu Lukmon is one of the residents who has stopped using the road. For him, commuting through the route is no longer an option.
He told Community Standard that he now travels through Alaja Road via Megida in Ayobo to reach his destination.
“I divert from Ashipa Road to Megida Road. I personally abandoned using Ashipa Road because of its current condition. My niece has also stopped using it. She used to leave home very early and return late.
“The road is not even trekable for pedestrians. Likewise, many motorists I know have abandoned the route.”
Apart from the difficulty of navigating the road, residents have also had to contend with increased transportation costs.
According to Odunewu, tricycle fares that previously cost ₦200 now range between ₦400 and ₦500, while motorcycle fares into most streets are now at least ₦500.
Since the road has become difficult for motorists, Oladehinde said Okada operators now rely on inner streets, but that also comes with its own challenges.
“Whenever it rains, people using this road have a terrible experience. We hardly use the road anymore. We try to find our way through adjoining streets, but residents often lock their gates and try to extort money from us before allowing us to pass. We’re left with no option but to give in to their demands. It’s really disturbing.”
Like the LCDA chairman, Oladehinde appealed to the government to urgently rescue residents by rehabilitating the road.
“On that note, I want to plead that if they truly want to fix the road, they should do it early enough. Whatever they intend to do, they should do it now.”
Although the LCDA authorities have carried out palliative works, including the deposition of stones and grading of some affected sections to make the road temporarily motorable, the chairman’s recent appeal during his TVC appearance underscores the gravity of the situation.
For residents, however, the major concern remains how, and more importantly, when—the state government will respond to the growing calls for the rehabilitation of the Amule/Ashipa Road.
