Residents and business owners along the Igbogbo–Baiyeku Road in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have appealed to contractors handling the ongoing reconstruction to speed up work as persistent rainfall continues to worsen conditions on the route.
The road, which is still under construction, has become increasingly difficult to use, with muddy surfaces and flooded sections making movement challenging for motorists, commuters, and pedestrians. Many commercial drivers now avoid the axis, further reducing transportation options for residents.
A business owner, Mrs. Funsho Igbekoyi, described the situation as distressing, saying it had significantly disrupted daily activities and commuting.
According to her, the heavy rains have made the road nearly impassable, forcing many drivers to stay away from the area. She noted that while residents appreciate the ongoing project, the pace of work needs to improve to reduce hardship.
A commercial driver, Mr. Sadiq Bello, also said the poor condition of the road had affected his income, as fewer passengers now use the route and many trips take longer to complete due to difficult terrain.
He added that some passengers refuse to board vehicles heading in that direction because of the muddy and unsafe conditions.
For traders like Mrs. Kemi Ogunleye, business has also been affected, as customers are finding it harder to access shops along the road.
She explained that flooding and dirt have discouraged buyers from visiting the area, leading to a noticeable drop in sales.
Another resident, Mr. Tunde Akinwale, observed that alternative inner roads being used as diversions are now deteriorating due to increased traffic pressure, noting that they were not originally designed to handle such volume.
A student, Miss Abiola Hassan, also highlighted the difficulties faced by pedestrians, especially during rainfall, adding that transportation in and out of the area has become increasingly stressful.
Responding to the concerns, the Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area, Mr. Hammed Aroyewun, said the contractor had returned fully to the site and construction activities had resumed.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to ensure steady progress on the project, while appealing for patience as work continues.
He further stated that significant work had already been done over the past two years and expressed optimism that the current phase of construction would continue without further delays.
Residents, however, urged sustained momentum on the project to ensure timely completion, ease movement, restore transportation access, and revive economic activities in the area.