The current state of the Mile2- Badagry express way which is a 10-lane expansion construction kicked off some years back has been on a snail pace.
The expansion which was a welcome development to the axis has now turned to a sad story and such a disheartening one.
With no alternative route , this road connects individuals to the Badagry, Agbara, Okoko, Iyana Iba to Mile 2, and the Island; there is no alternative road.
The snail pace of the construction by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Company, CCECC has been attributed to lack of funds have in no small measure contributed to the unending congestions and anguish motorists go through while plying that route.
Residents who reside in that axis which is Amuwo Odofin , Ojo and Badagry area of Lagos state have been facing serious hardship commuting and going about their daily activities.
Also individuals who have businesses and other assignments to carry out in that axis have been facing slow business rate due to the bad state of the roads.
The road , which is a trunk A road from Alakija to Iyana-Isashi has now become a valley of death for commuters, commercial and private users.
The bad state of the road has lead to daily gridlocks plying the Okokomaiko, Iyana Iba, Mile 2 routes.
The bad portion of the Badagry express way has now become a living daily nightmare.
There is hardly a day that accidents don’t occur. A number of articulated trucks have somersaulted spilling their goods on the road and vehicles breakdown regularly.
The major terrible spots which are filled with Big time potholes now turned gulleys are before and after Okokomaiko U-turn, Igbo-Elerin bus stop, Okoko bus stop, Iyana Iba, Volks, and Barracks bus stops, before and after Trade Fair (under the bridge) on both sides, Abule-Osun and immediately after the newly constructed Alakija Bridge are some of the terrible portions of the road.
When Festaconline paid a route visit to the axis , the traffic congestion kicked off from as far back as alakija spanning till Iyana Iba and further.
On the roads , you get to see minor accidents which has become a daily occurrence, broken down cars which engines have over-heated or knocked off.
Even as bad as it is commercial buses have stopped plying the route as out of 10 buses only 1 gets to tend towards barracks all other stop at under bridge.
Commercial bikes popularly known as Okada now charge ridiculous amounts taking advantage of the bad road, and traffic congestion to hike their fares.
Festaconline correspondent speaking to a trader lamented bitterly.
I live in Okota and i have my business in Alaba , it has been a tug of war going about my daily business activities. for some days my shop has been closed because of the difficulty of plying the route.
We also engaged Residents, motorists, who ply this route daily.
Sharing his ordeal, Mr Frank Oshodi , a civil servant shared with us how disturbing it has been for him as he lives in Okoko and works in Festac Town.
I have to wake up as early as 4am and leave my house before 5am. Its frustrating to have less sleep at night and still get exposed to security risks due to the fact that i leave home that early.
Ngozi said she has been plying that route , she said,
Its annoying o ! but im getting used to it , aside from the high cost of transportation , i have to share a bike seat with a total stranger exposing me to untold risks. If the roads were in good state I probably would be driving to work or board a bus.- Ngozi John
Folake who lives in Volks also lamented.
I spend as much as 1400 daily just on commercial bikes aka Okada . Its pathetic. My salary is not even enough to compensate my spending on transportation daily . I’m Tired o. the government should please act on these roads. – Folake
Festaconline correspondent speaking to a commercial bike rider , Wasiu , He lamented as well
My okada dey spoil everyday. The road is bad , sometimes we dont know what bad part of the road we are entering. My engine sef don spoil.
Speaking to several commuters on the axis, the spend an average of N500 just from Alakija to Barracks which ususlaly goes for N100.
Mr Nnamdi , a trader said,
if i decide to board a commercial bus going back home , it means i will still be on the road by 12 midnight because of the potholes that have now grown to be a Gully. Its not easy .
The residents have been left with only Okada as an option
Sincerely the government needs to do something about the situation; they need to find solutions to this bad road.
This once motor-able axis has now become a nightmare for commuters both public and private.
We are calling on the government to pay attention to this terrible situation.
Recall that there was a terrible tanker inferno on that axis just last week which claimed properties and injured many.
Do you ply this route ? share your experiences below in the comment box. 