Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Lagos residents cry out over falling trees

TREE planting has always been encouraged as
trees are known to enhance the natural beauty of
the environment. That was the case with Igbogbo/
Bayeku Road in the Ikorodu area of Lagos which
enjoys a peaceful ambience because of the trees
that line it from one end to the other, casting a
beautifying shade over road users. History has it
that the trees were planted over two decades ago.
This explains why many, for a long time, delighted
in taking a walk from Igbogbo to Bayeku while
savouring the shade and cool breeze the trees
provided.
Though these trees are popularly appreciated for
this beneficial effect on road users, the story
presently is one that borders on expressed worries
about the danger they presently represent on
account of the age of some of them. For example,
within a space of one year, the road has more or
less become a disaster zone as no fewer than 12
road users, including school children, have met
their untimely death there. The unfortunate
individuals died after trees fell on them.
Vanguard Metro, VM, investigations revealed that
the trees, which are patricularly of the Gmelina
species with fibrous roots, have out-lived their life
spans. One of the residents, Mr. Onaolapo Ayinde,
who lost a relation to a fallen tree, recounted thus:
"These trees were meant for beautification and
agricultural purposes, but have now become death
traps. I lost a cousin, Gloria; the only daughter in
our family.
It was raining that day and she was on her way
home from the shop when she met her untimely
death. She called me few minutes to the tragic
incident that her taxi was faulty and she had to
alight at the nearest bus-stop. I think she was
trekking home when one of the trees fell on her.
Having waited for a long time, I decided to trace
her and found her trapped underneath the tree;
she died on the way to the hospital".
Major disaster
A major disaster almost occurred on the road last
week following a rainstorm in the early hours of the
day which knocked down a tree and it fell across
the road. Fortunately, an 18-seater bus narrowly
escaped being smashed by the fallen tree. To
express their appreciation and praise to God for
their narrow escape from death, the passengers
and driver repeatedly shouted a loud Halleluyah!
Again last year, one of the trees fell and an
oncoming vehicle ran into it. The driver lost his life,
while the vehicle was smashed beyond repairs.
Also, on July 10 of that year, one of the trees fell
across the road, cutting off Bayeku from other
communities. Although the youths were mobilised
to restore normalcy but success was not recorded
till 2pm of the following day after road users had
resorted to trekking long distances before getting
to their various destinations.
Two weeks ago, a land speculator named Ladega,
ran into one of the trees early in the morning of the
day; he also lost his life while his car ended up a
wreck. He joined a long list of others who lost their
lives under similar circumstances; that is, when
trees or their branches suddenly fell on them.
A walk round the community showed that the trees
have grown so large and their base exposed
following sustained onslaught by the wind and
heavy rainfall over the years. It was also discovered
that road users avoided the use of that road for a
time, but due to the absence of an alternative route
they have since started using the road again, the
danger of falling trees notwithstanding.
Mr. Odumade Olanireti said: "Communities like
Ofin and Igbogbo have benefited greatly from the
PHCN target goal as the concrete polls have been
erected but I heard from a reliable source that
Bayeku could have been the next target but for the
trees which have occupied the major road".
Another resident of Greenland Estate, Mrs. Oshileru
Ifedapo, urged the state government to come to
their aid and save residents from untimely death.
She said: "Many have died when the trees fell on
them; who knows the next victim? The government
should come to our aid before it is too late."
During VM's, visit to the area some road side
traders were found under some of the trees. Many
of them said they could not afford to rent a shop in
the area. "We usually take to our heels once we
notice it's going to rain," they chorused.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of the Igbogbo/
Bayeku Local Council Development Area,
Adegbenga Basanya, proved abortive as his cell
phones were switched off.

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