Residents of Puposhola community in the New Oko-Oba area of Lagos State have appealed to the state government to urgently intervene in the worsening condition of their only major access road, which they say has become a source of daily hardship.
During a visit to the area, residents described the road as heavily damaged, with deep potholes and eroded sections that make movement difficult for motorists, pedestrians, and commercial transport operators. Many said the situation has persisted for years without meaningful repairs.
According to community members, the poor road has led to rising transport fares, frequent vehicle breakdowns, and increased spending on repairs. Some residents said public buses often avoid the area entirely, forcing commuters to rely on costlier alternatives.
A resident, Amechi, said vehicle owners in the area now spend more money maintaining their cars than before due to constant damage caused by the road. He added that transport costs within the community have surged because drivers factor in repair expenses.
“The road affects everyone. If you own a car, you’re always at the mechanic. If you don’t, transport fares are high because buses don’t want to come here,” he said.
Another resident, Adetoye Adewale, noted that the situation becomes worse during the rainy season, when flooding and mud make the road nearly impassable. He said residents have repeatedly received assurances that the road would be fixed, but no visible work has begun.
“The road has been bad for many years. Each rainy season makes it worse. People struggle to walk safely, and vehicles break down often,” he explained.
Traders operating along the road also said the poor condition has affected their businesses. A shop owner, David Adeshola, said customer traffic drops significantly whenever it rains, as people avoid the area.
“When it rains, people don’t come here. When it’s dry, dust affects our goods. Business suffers either way,” he said.
Residents further expressed concerns about health challenges linked to dust from the road, especially during the dry season. Some traders said they regularly clean dust-covered goods, increasing losses.
Community members appealed to the Lagos State Government to include the road in ongoing rehabilitation projects, stressing that they pay taxes and levies like other residents across the state.
Efforts to get a response from officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Works were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
