Following the commencement of the reconstruction of the Itamaga-Elepe-Ijede road by the Lagos State Government, residents of the area have commended the construction company, Arab Contractors, for the quality work being done while also appealing for the speedy completion of the road.
The residents spoke with our reporters who visited the construction site to inspect the level of work done so far.
The elated residents, which included traders, Okada riders, motorists and passersby, expressed their profound joy over the progress of the construction work while also expressing hope of enjoying a new lease of life when the road is eventually completed.
They told our reporters that the work done so far by Arab Contractors which includes construction of drainages and grading of the roads, is of the highest quality and will serve the road users for a very long time.
They also expressed their concerns over the slow pace of work and urged the contractors to speed up action so that the road could be completed before the commencement of the rainy season.
Also, some of the traders who have their shops along the road, also complained about the dust emanating from the construction works which according to them, is making their wares and entire shops dusty and added that they cannot wait for the construction work to be completed.
They also pleaded with the construction workers to help in putting slabs on the drainages constructed so far to enable customers to have easy access to their shops, stating that the present condition of the drainages is making it difficult for customers to cross over to their shops and patronise them.
Our reporters observed that the construction work which took off from the Be-Happy Hotel axis of Itamaga as reached Lukadan Gas Company also in Itamaga while construction workers were seen constructing drainages on both sides of the road and tractors grading the road to make it motorable for motorists and other road users before it is tarred.
One of the workers of Arab Contractors, who identified himself as Sunday in a brief interview with our reporter stated that though the construction work is going on smoothly, they are being faced with several challenges which he cannot discuss because he’s not authorized to speak with the press.
However, he said their major challenge is traffic which he said is slowing down their pace of work as they find it challenging to control the flow of traffic on the road despite placing safety and traffic signs at strategic points.
However, he also assured that a reasonable progress will be achieved in two months’ time.
Also, Mr. Emmanuel Nwafor who has a shop along the road, told Oriwu Sun that his business is currently facing challenges due to the uncovered drainages which is making it difficult for customers to crossover to his shop to patronize him.
He urged the contractors to put slab over the drainages to enable people to walk freely on it and crossover to the other side of the road while also urging them to put in more effort so that the road can be completed in good time.
Another trader in the area, Mr. Shedrack Eleke said the construction Company is trying its best considering the work that has been so far but pleaded that the drainages constructed so far should be covered to allow customers have easy access to shops along the road.
An Okada rider in the area, Mr. Peter Oga in his own opinion described the pace of work as very slow while also stating that the dust on the road due to the grading work is too much and poses health hazard to road users.
He commended the construction firm for the quality of work done so far, he appealed that the construction works should be expedite in order to meet up with the completion time.