Lagos motorists demand removal of damaged metal net barricade
Motorists and commuters have decried the condition of the metal net barricade mounted along the corridor of the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State.
Our correspondent who visited the location on Wednesday observed that some parts of the metal net had been pulled down.
Pedestrians plying the section of the road could also be seen trampling on the damaged metal net which lies on the walkway close to the Berger Motor Park.
The immediate past Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, had on May 2017, inaugurated the then newly built pedestrian bridge, lay-by and slip road in the area.
This included the metal net which was used as a barricade to persuade pedestrians to make use of the bridge and prevent them from indiscriminate crossing of the road.
Speaking , on Wednesday, some transport workers in the area said the metal net fell off after the foundation of the pillars that hold them together had become rusty.
One of them who gave his name as Taofeek said, “The barricade fell off some weeks ago. Unlike others that were being vandalised, this particular one was pulled down by a windstorm. We arrived one morning and saw that it had fallen on the main road. We had to drag it away from the road and place it on the walkway. We had noticed before it finally fell off that the foundation of the pillar that held them together had become rusty.”
Our correspondent watched as some commuters placed some of their luggage on the metal net while some food vendors equally placed their bowls on them.
Further checks also revealed that the nuts used to fasten the pillars of the metal nets to the ground had also got rusted.
A trader who sells alcoholic drinks in the park, Lola Omololu, however, said the same fate awaits the other metal nets.
She said, “The remaining parts that are still standing may likely fall off like the ones you see on the floor. Once the foundation of the pillars gets weak like the other ones, it will start to damage gradually and before you know it, it is already on the floor.”
A pedestrian who identified himself only as Isaac called on the state government to remove the damaged ones and replace them.
He said, “The purpose of the barricade has been defeated because people now have to step on it to cross the road. Aside from being erected to prevent people from crossing the road indiscriminately, the barricade also adds to the beauty of what was done here by the former governor. But that is no longer there. The sight of the metal iron on the floor looks like the government no longer show concern. They need to remove and replace them. It is already becoming an eyesore.”
The state Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, could not be reached for a reaction as calls made to his phone were not answered. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
