Motorists using the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway have raised concerns about the non-functional state of streetlights along the 42km stretch of the road, particularly at night, posing security risks.
According to PUNCH Metro over the weekend, motorists highlighted the deteriorating condition of the streetlights, emphasizing the heightened insecurity it brings to the highway.
A visit by our correspondent to parts of the road revealed that only the streetlights near the Governor’s office were operational.
Other areas showed signs of malfunction, with some streetlights lacking cables, damaged, or having their poles removed. Some generators used to power the lights were also observed to be locked.
Hammed Lanre, a motorist, expressed fear about driving on the expressway due to the rising insecurity on major highways across the country.
He said, “When this road was reconstructed with the streetlight facilities functional, it was a sweet experience driving on it because there was nothing to worry about and there was no hiding place for evildoers. But since the streetlights have become non-functional, I am always scared of driving on this road, especially at night because of the level of insecurity on our highways these days.”
Another motorist, Taiwo Lasisi, highlighted the vandalism of the streetlights, suggesting that it often occurred overnight when the road was less busy. He appealed to the Ogun State Government to repair the damaged streetlights to prevent security breaches along the road.
“I want to appeal to the Ogun State Government to fix the damaged streetlights so that we don’t begin to experience security breaches on this road,” Lasisi emphasized.
A resident in one of the communities along the road blamed negligence and lack of maintenance by the state government for the situation, particularly criticizing the use of generators to power streetlights.
The resident said, “How can a government adopt the use of a generator to power streetlights? I think that’s where the problem started from. Before the increase in fuel price, the streetlights were functional, and now that the price of fuel has skyrocketed, it has since become non-functional. It is just a lack of maintenance culture by our government that has led to the damage of the streetlights.”
