The popular saying that it is better to be late than never could best describe the case of the Powerline road, otherwise known as Sulaimon Soderu road in Ikorodu, which is currently being rehabilitated after decade of abandonment.
Although, there had been series of efforts in the past by successive governments in the State to repair the strategic road which serves as alternative route that links motorists to the Ikorodu-Lagos Expressway from Sagamu road and Sabo-Itoikin road and vice-versa, but the contractors that were contracted for the job abandoned the project in quick succession after receiving payment without doing any tangible work.
Notable among these failed construction companies was Eko Akete Construction Company allegedly owned by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Fuad Oki, during Governor Fashola administration.
The road had remained impassable since then and inflicted so much sufferings on the residents and motorists who found it very difficult to navigate it to their various destinations, especially during the rainy season.
However, after years of sufferings which witnessed annual encounters with flooding due to the bad condition of the road, residents and motorists can now heave a deep sigh of relief as the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has compassion for people’s living conditions, has now awarded the rehabilitation of the road to another construction company, Laralek Ultimate Limited which has its office in Alausa-lkeja, Lagos.
The company, which moved to site in June this year after taking over from another construction company which commenced the rehabilitation work last June but abandoned the project, has done a commendable work within the short period of moving to site.
When Oriwu Sun visited the road on Wednesday, October 14, 2020, a section of the road from the entry point close to the Ikorodu Cemetery up to a point along Sulaimon Soderu street has been rehabilitated with interlocking stones and drainages constructed on both sides of the road. Also, the road has been graded to allow for smooth vehicular and human movements pending the asphalting of other section of the road.
While speaking with our reporters, the Site engineer, who simply identified himself as Engineer Gabriel, said he did not have answers to some of the information we sought from him, particularly as it regards the duration of the project. He, however, said that he was sent to the site in July by his company to oversee the work that is being done and facilitate the smooth completion of the project.
He explained that they decided to use interlocking stones for a section of the road (about 310meters) to prevent it from being flooded when it rains since it is a waterlogged terrain and added that the other part of the road will be covered with asphalt.
Engineer Gabriel also described the support and cooperation they have been receiving from the residents of the area since taking over the project as fantastic and urged them to sustain the gesture to enable them complete the project in good time.
While also speaking with Oriwu Sun, the Chairman, Sulaimon Soderu CDA, Mr S.O. Ajayi, a retired Senior Police Officer, commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring the eventual rehabilitation of the road and also for giving the job to a reputable company.
He also lauded Laralek Ultimate Limited for doing a good job and for not abandoning the road like the previous contractors whom he accused of leaving the road worse than they met it.
Mr. Ajayi said that the entire residents are now happy that the road is now motorable despite that it is still under construction and assured that the community will do everything to safeguard the road against any abuse or destruction when it is completed.
In the same vein, the duo of Mr Soji Mabunmi and Mr. Kazeem Alupepe who are residents of the area, also praised Governor Sanwo-Olu and the contractor over the rehabilitation of the Powerline road.
They also chided the contractors who previously handled the road for abandoning the job despite the support given to them by the community and government.
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