Urban development in Lagos State has been a tale of two cities: one of modern infrastructure and the other of neglected, deteriorating public amenities.

Among the most glaring examples of this neglect are the roads in Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town., Sunday Sun reports that these areas, once models of suburban planning, now suffer from severe infrastructural decay, with bad roads causing significant hardship for residents.

Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town were initially designed to provide affordable housing and a decent quality of life for Lagosians.

Festac Town, for instance, was developed as part of the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) in 1977, symbolizing modernity and cultural pride.

Similarly, Ejigbo and Satellite Town were planned as suburban retreats from the bustling Lagos metropolis. Over the decades, however, population growth, inadequate maintenance, and poor urban planning have led to the degradation of these once-promising areas.

The roads in Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town are now riddled with potholes, uneven surfaces, and poor drainage systems.

This has resulted into perennial flooding, traffic congestion, and frequent accidents. During the rainy season, many roads become impassable, becoming muddy quagmires that trap vehicles and pedestrians alike.

In Festac Town, for example, 21 Road, 23 Road, 7th Avenue, Second Avenue and First Avenue have become notorious for their terrible potholes, which have become a nightmare for residents of the area.

Potholes of the size of craters dot these roads, making navigation a big problem for motorists. In Ejigbo, the situation is similar, with major roads such as Egbe Road, which remains an access road to Ikotun, Ijegun, Abaranje and Igand neglected.

The streets are suffering from extensive wear and tear, causing untold hardship for residents who travel the road daily to eke out a living.

A recently created access way in the Ilamose area up to Canoe has also gone bad, making vehicular movement difficult for residents.

Also, Satellite Town is no better, with the Navy Town Road and Old Ojo Road in dire need of rehabilitation. Although efforts are on to make the roads passable, but the residents are complaining of the slow pace of work on the two roads.

The poor state of the roads Sunday Sun observed has far-reaching implications for the residents of these areas.

Economically, it leads to increased transportation costs as vehicles require more frequent repairs and maintenance.

A commercial tricycle operator simply identified as Abioye who plies from Apple Junction to Alakija in Festac Town told this reporter that, “if the roads are good and we can reach our destination without hitch, N150 was the original cost, but today due to bad roads, the cost has climbed to N300.

“Coupled with the economic hardship in the country, when you add all these you will see that even the N300 is justified.”

The terrible roads in Festac Town have also brought commercial activities in the area to their knees, as businesses find it difficult to receive supplies and deliver goods.

This has resulted in higher prices for goods and services, burdening the already financially strained residents.

Residents who spoke to Sunday Sun blamed the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area for the total collapse of infrastructure in Festac.

They noted that while it’s not in doubt that the Federal Government owns the area, the LGA has abdicated its responsibility, leading to the major failure being witnessed.

The angry residents said that past LGA administrations were more concerned about the state of infrastructure in Festac than the incumbent.

A banker, Joan Osadalo, who regularly commutes through 2nd Avenue, described the situation as a nightmare.

She said: “As we are in the rainy season now, the roads are becoming difficult for both motorists and persons travelling by motorbike. The treacherous nature of 2nd Avenue particularly is now prompting motorists to avoid the area. The condition of the roads has led to an increase in transport fares. We now pay higher because only a few commercial motorbikes or tricycles ply these roads.”

Another resident, Dennis Ikwo, said: “The situation in Festac is no longer palatable, Festac is a place the Local Government should not neglect, look at all the roads from 7th Avenue to First Avenue, no place is spared, even motorists can’t think of any alternative routes as the entire area is affected. Commercial motorcyclists have increased fares due to the longer and more hazardous routes they must navigate.”

Indeed, when travelling from Apple Junction using commercial motorbikes, popularly called Okada, passengers pay as high as N500 per trip.

It was also learnt that the amount was when the rain has not come, “when it rains, we pay as high as N600 for a trip from Apple Junction to Alakija,” a passenger said.

Chief Fidelis Ako, a resident of 3rd Avenue, lamented what he described as the general decay of the Festival Town, saying that the government must work towards fixing the roads and saving residents who pay taxes, the trouble they go through every day.

He expressed worries that the area is becoming a slum, especially given the presence of shanties in many places.

The situation on 2nd Avenue in Festac, as described by car dealers, highlights significant infrastructural neglect. The road, in its current state, severely impacts businesses, especially car dealerships.

Uchenna Ike, a car dealer for several years, expressed his frustration over the deteriorating conditions and lack of action from the authorities.

He emphasized that Festac, once a bustling and cosmopolitan area, now struggles with roads so damaged that they deter customers, leading to a sharp decline in sales.

Other car dealers who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the state government should reconstruct the road afresh, rather than do remedial work, and that work on the road should come as a matter of urgency to restore the road and, by extension, the businesses and community that rely on it.

They said that the neglect not only tarnishes the reputation of the town, but also causes tangible economic harm to its residents and business owners.

Health-wise, bad roads contribute to increased cases of respiratory issues due to the dust from unpaved and damaged roads.

Moreover, the frequent traffic jams and the poor condition of roads delay emergency services, putting lives at risk.

The stress and frustration of navigating these roads daily also take a toll on the mental well-being of the residents.

The response from local and state governments has been largely inadequate. While there have been occasional patchwork repairs, these efforts are often superficial and short-lived. Promises of comprehensive road rehabilitation projects are made during election periods, but these pledges seldom materialize into sustained action.

One of the primary reasons for the neglect is the lack of proper urban planning and maintenance culture.

Funds allocated for road repairs are often mismanaged or diverted, leading to substandard work and unfinished projects.

Furthermore, there is a need for better coordination between local, state, and federal agencies to address the infrastructural challenges comprehensively.

In the face of governmental inaction, residents have sometimes taken matters into their own hands. Community associations in Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town have organized clean-up and minor repair efforts, pooling resources to fill potholes and improve drainage.

While these initiatives are commendable, they are insufficient to address the systemic issues underlying the bad road conditions.

Residents have also used social media and other platforms to voice their grievances, hoping to draw attention to their plight and pressure authorities into taking action.

Advocacy groups have been formed to lobby for better infrastructure, and petitions have been submitted to local representatives. These grassroots efforts highlight the resilience and determination of the communities, but also underscore the pressing need for government intervention.

Some residents told Sunday Sun that addressing the bad road problems in Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town requires a multifaceted approach.

Firstly, there needs to be a commitment to proper urban planning and regular maintenance.

They said that government agencies should conduct thorough assessments of the road infrastructure, prioritize the most affected areas, and allocate adequate resources for repairs.

They also pointed out the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds as a very crucial aspect that needs to be considered.

“Independent bodies should oversee road projects to ensure that funds are used effectively and that work is completed to a high standard,” Julius Tomori, a resident of Ejigbo, told this reporter.

He said that in addition there should be mechanisms for residents to report poor workmanship and hold contractors accountable.

John Ukandu, a pensioner who resides in Satellite town, said that public-private partnerships could also play a role in addressing the infrastructural deficit.

“By collaborating with private firms, the government can leverage additional expertise and funding to improve road conditions.

“Such partnerships could include road construction, maintenance contracts, and community-driven projects,” he said.

Also, a retired civil servant who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the deplorable state of roads in Festac Town, Ejigbo, and Satellite Town is a reflection of broader issues of urban neglect and mismanagement. While the residents have shown remarkable resilience, the responsibility for providing adequate infrastructure ultimately lies with the government.

Through proper planning, transparent governance, and community engagement, it is possible to restore these areas to their former glory and improve the quality of life for their inhabitants.

He said It is time for the authorities to heed the cries of the people and take decisive action to fix the roads and restore hope to these once-vibrant communities.

Efforts to reach the Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government failed as a visit to the LG headquarters on 41 Road did not yield any result.

Also, an effort to speak to the Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA failed as a respondent who was identified as Muyideen and the spokesman to the Chairman did not have information on road repairs. (Sunday Sun)

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