Right group demands fixing of Nigeria’s southwest Lagos-Benin road

Nigeria

A rights group – The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) Nigeria’s southwest Ogun State Chapter, has raised serious concerns about the rapid deterioration of the newly rehabilitated Ikangba-Agoro Road, also known as the Old Lagos-Benin Road. Less than seven months after the completion of rehabilitation works, portions of the road are caving in due to poor construction, prompting an urgent call for immediate repairs by the responsible authorities.

In a press statement signed by Eko John Nicholas, Coordinator of CDWR Ogun Chapter, the group highlighted that the road’s condition has deteriorated because of substandard workmanship by contractors. CDWR demands that these contractors be recalled to site immediately to carry out repairs to prevent further damage and safeguard residents, motorists, and all road users from potentially fatal accidents.

While the CDWR welcomes the recent installation of five speed breakers along the road—two at Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Obalende, two at the Molipa Express Road intercept with Olorunsogo Junction, and one at Ikangba-Erinlu Primary School—they emphasize that this number is grossly inadequate. They insist more speed breakers are urgently needed in other key areas including Seico Secondary School, Ikangba community, Ikangba Secondary School, and Giwa Feedmill. These locations are highly populated with residents and school children, and more speed breakers would help restrain reckless driving and reduce road accidents.

In addition to speed breakers, CDWR called for the provision of adequate lighting and road traffic signs along the road. Currently, only three road signs exist to warn motorists of upcoming speed bumps, and the road remains dark and desolate at night—conditions that could encourage criminal activities. They pointed out the urgent need for zebra crossings and additional signage to ensure the safety of the many schoolchildren and residents who traverse the route daily.

CDWR also criticized the current contract system that, they say, facilitates corruption and mismanagement, leading to poor quality public infrastructure. They advocate for all public construction projects, including roadworks, to be handled directly by well-equipped and skilled public works departments under democratic management by workers and community stakeholders. Such an approach, they argue, would promote accountability, proper monitoring, and adherence to quality standards.

The group recalled its active role in pushing for the road’s rehabilitation through protests and media campaigns. However, from the onset of the project, CDWR warned that construction was poorly executed using substandard materials and inadequate provisions for safety measures. Despite repeated appeals to the state government and field officers to address these issues, no corrective actions were taken.

Tragically, less than seven months after road completion, at least eight preventable deaths due to road accidents have been recorded. Victims include a 70-year-old man, Demion Chukwu, and two female students of Seico Secondary School, Miss Aishat Mosaku and Miss Omobewaji Sanni, who were killed by an articulated vehicle while on their way from an SSCE exam center.

CDWR, led by Coordinator Eko John Nicholas, is once again urging the Ogun State government to promptly repair damaged road sections, increase the number of speed breakers, and install sufficient lighting and road safety signs to reduce accidents. They also demand the immediate commencement of rehabilitation on the Agoro/Okun-Owa/Odugbolu axis of the Old Lagos-Benin Road, alongside repairs on other bad roads across Ogun State that are causing hardship to workers and residents.

Finally, CDWR is calling on national labor organizations like the NLC and TUC, civil society groups, and concerned citizens to join the campaign for urgent government intervention. They stress that improving the state’s road network is critical to preventing further economic losses, social hardship, and avoidable road accidents in Ogun State.