Monday, 31 August 2015

Attention Lagos Government! There Is A Deathtrap In Lagos Called Kirikiri Dillion Street

Editor’s note: Year after year, reports emerge in the press about the pitiful condition of the roads in Lagos suburbs, the town of Kirikiri. Countless accidents occur on its most frequently-used, busy Dillion Street; road users, residents lose lives, property, businesses and time because of the terrible state of the road. Naij.com contributor, Arinze Esomnofu, has visited the town and, through Naij.com, hopes to convey the pleas of Kirikiri town residents to Lagos state authorities.



Attention Lagos State Government: Kirikiri Dillion Street Is A Shame

Naij.com contributor and freelance reporter, Arinze Esomnofu, has visited the town of Kirikiri to report on the shameful condition of Dillion Street, an important and frequently-used road that has become a “deathtrap”



Kirikiri, a densely populated town in the Oriade local government area of Lagos state with some spicing of industrial presence, is home to the most notorious prison in Nigeria – the medium and maximum security Kirikiri prisons.


To most Nigerians, hearing someone mention they live in Kirikiri means the person admitting to their prisoner status. But in reality, Kirikiri has two sets of people: those that dwell behind the “walls” and those who reside outside.


The town, which is as old as the Lagos state itself, is attracting manufacturers and bonded terminal moguls. This explains the dense movement of heavy vehicles in and out of the area.


The importance of the town cannot be overemphasised as the entry point into the Nigerian naval base, aside from it being a shortcut to other areas within the Amuwo-Odofin local government area of the state.


That being said, the general state of the town is pathetic and has sunk deeper into a state of abandonment. Absence of motorable roads is glaring.


“I was a cashier in Macdon’s, but because of the bad state of the Dillion road, we were having poor sales that gradually led to the shutdown of our branch, all because of this road!” lamented Obianuju, a resident of Dillion Street. Her sad view is shared by many residents of the town who believe the state and local governments deliberately abandon the town to its fate.


Here is what the security man attached to the gates of the Broadway Nursery and Primary School, once a model school in the town, has to say: “Oga, I no go lie, this road really dey affect our school bad bad, and we dey lose most of our pupils, abeg make you help me beg our government people them. Make dem come fix this road I no won lose my job oh!”


Attention Lagos State Government: Kirikiri Dillion Street Is A Shame

Dillion Street, Kirikiri, Lagos; photo credit – Arinze Esomnofu



Sometime last year, a motorcycle (popularly known as Okada) lost control and fell into the gutters. The bike rider and his passenger were hospitalised in critical conditions. Also last year, the driver of a trailer conveying two containers lost control and fell sideways, destroying the goods in the containers worth millions of naira in the process.  


Saint Paul Anglican Church, a popular church in Kirikiri, is not left out on the pains caused by the deplorable state of the Dillion road, as worshipers from Olodi Apapa are now seeking for other churches close to them instead of coming to worship at Saint Paul.


The pains felt daily by the residents of Kirikiri due to the poor state of the roads in the town, especially the Dillion Street road, are unimaginable. As long as that road remains unattended to, their sufferings continue.


One of the roles of government is looking into the plight of its citizens and fixing such problems to ensure better living among the citizenry. When this does not happen, the people call on their government to come to their aid.


And it is on such note that I call the attention of the executive governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the local government chairman of Oriade, Sanusi Ibrahim Tunde, to come to the aid of the residents of Kirikiri by fixing the Dillion road, for the present state of that road is a nuisance.


Attention Lagos State Government: Kirikiri Dillion Street Is A Shame

Dillion Street, Kirikiri, Lagos; photo credit – Arinze Esomnofu



Attention Lagos State Government: Kirikiri Dillion Street Is A Shame

Dillion Street, Kirikiri, Lagos; photo credit – Arinze Esomnofu




Attention Lagos State Government: Kirikiri Dillion Street Is A Shame

Arinze Esomnofu for Naij,com



Arinze Esomnofu is a political analyst, public commentator on trending political events, and a motivational speaker.


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The post Attention Lagos Government! There Is A Deathtrap In Lagos Called Kirikiri Dillion Street appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM.



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