Gbagada Residents: New Religious, Public Facilities Choking Us

Ugo Aliogo

Hundreds of residents in Gbagada, Kosofe Local Government yesterday trooped out to the street, protesting outright neglect by the Lagos State Government, noting that they had not felt any dividend of democracy.

The residents, who were largely from of Soluyi Community, lamented that due to the persistent neglect, infrastructure provided through community effort had been overstretched due to influx of religious organisations.

The residents, who brandished placards to explain their demands, complained that due to the location of the community, it had become cynosure of religious outfits and others to erect their worship centres.

They noted that the presence of the new structures has led to gridlock on the only access road, Adebayo Okeowo, to the community, noting, “We spend over 30 minutes navigating within our community.”

They noted that the pressure would not have been much on the only access road but the over 50 inner roads in the community were in deplorable states. They named some of the notable religious organisations that have erected structures in the community to include Deeper Life Church and Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) among others.

They said one of the religious organisations had constructed a church with 30,000 seating capacity in the community, stressing that even though the church “is yet to commence operation, we are already experiencing gridlock.”

The residents said the management of the religious outfit should have consulted widely before they site their structures in the community.

After the peaceful march yesterday, the Chairman of the Action Committee, Mr. Moses Eniayewun said this would create untold hardship ranging from traffic control.

According to him, “it had always been chaotic before now and opening of the church would attract more human and vehicular traffic to our community. But when they arrive, it will increase the travel time.

“When we are returning from work, we spend over 45 minutes connecting our home. And the reason is that in the morning, the officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), were often available to manage the traffic. But at night, the reverse if the case.”

Baale of Soluyi, Chief Solomon Olamiju, lamented: “We do not have market, school nor do we have Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in our community. And that is why we said that the government has neglected us.”

He urged the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to construct alternative roads that would assist residents’ link other parts of the state. Some of the roads listed by the monarch were: Sab Ojewale road to link Ikorodu road, Soluyi to link Yetunde Brown and others.