Residents of Isolo in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos, have expressed frustration over the poor state of roads in the area, which they say have been neglected for nearly a decade.

Streets such as Yewa Street, Oba Kabiru Adelaja, Ago-Ire Akari Link Road, Isolo Road, and parts of Ajao Estate are riddled with potholes and erosion, making daily commutes difficult and causing residents to lose valuable man-hours.

A resident of Yewa Street, Ashorobi Segun, said: “I have lived on this street for about 20 years and this is how the road has been. We have been appealing to the government to help us but we have not received a positive response. We even constructed drainage systems with our own money.

“This is the only road connecting to Oke-Afa apart from Kogberegbe. Despite its poor condition, the street is always congested in the evenings as motorists use alternative routes to avoid the traffic between Iyana Isolo and Pako Bus Stop.

“The government continues to promise road repairs, but nothing has materialised. Individual have contributed to fixing things on the street, even resorting to disputes at times to get things done.”

Another resident, Azeez Otutu, said: “Oba Osolo Market Road has been in a terrible state for years with no drainage or effort to improve it. It becomes particularly bad during the rainy season. Recently, a construction company poured granite on parts of the road, providing temporary relief. Ballot boxes arrive here during elections, but development does not.”

A resident of Nusirat Lasisi Street, Mba Eghosa, said her car broke down on July 2, 2025, due to the poor condition of the road, causing financial loss and wasted time. Adebisi Omotola Street nearby is in a similar state.

Some residents have resorted to self-help. On Akosa Street, locals have built and maintained their own roads to prevent vehicle damage and ensure safe passage.

“When it rains, the situation worsens. The man living in front of me fixed the road in front of his home, making it a little better for my shop; otherwise, it would always be flooded.”

The government should help us fix the road; it’s extremely bad, and we can’t continue living like this,” said Ajoke Adeniyi, a 58-year-old food seller in Nusurat Lasisi Street.

A 26-year-old barber on Olubi Street, known as Dtharbs, added: “I don’t have a car, so I walk, but the condition of the road still affects me. Lack of streetlights has led to multiple vehicular incidents at night due to the road being covered during downpours.”

When contacted, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary of Oshodi-Isolo LCDA, Damilola Kushimo, said: “In the last four years, the chairman has overseen the construction/reconstruction of over 40 roads. So roads in the Yewa axis…have also been addressed. Kogberegbe falls along the route, and we have carried out palliative work on Yewa road.

“We discussed various roads, including Yewa in our recent meetings. The chairman has mentioned the road, providing assurance of a lasting solution. Work is ongoing on Emzor road and on Karimu road.”

On the delay to Emzor road, he explained: “The road is a state government responsibility but the council has taken on the project. Weather conditions also affect the pace of construction. The contractor paused work due to rain, but I can assure residents that the road will be completed soon. The chairman is aware of commuters’ plight.” (THE GUARDIAN)