Some Lagos residents have appealed to the state government to ensure functional street lights for Ikorodu Road in Lagos Metropolis to enhance safety and security.

The residents spoke in separate interviews with journalists on Saturday in Lagos.

They complained that the stretch of highway from Ikorodu Road to Maryland, had been in blackout for several weeks, claiming it portends danger to residents.

Ajebamidele Ifabiyi, a businessman, said effective street lighting on the highway would serve as a deterrent to criminals who might want to leverage darkness to attack commuters and pedestrians.

Mr Ifabiyi said that reliable street lighting would also enhance visibility for motorists and improve road safety.

Also, Cecilia Nwabueze, a banker, noted that functional street lighting would enhance the night economy of communities and boost the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Street lights provide a sense of safe environment at night and early in the morning, and this plays a role in lowering crime rate.

“Recently, a colleague was attacked at Ojota while driving home. Her driver-side glass was smashed, and she was dispossessed of her valuables.

“If the roads are lit, the criminals might not be emboldened to conduct such an atrocity,” she said.

Mr Nwabueze noted that street lighting in most high-brow areas of the megacity was functional, urging the government to replicate the same in other parts of the state.

Similarly, Tade Bamisaiye, a retired engineer, said that street lights should not be a luxury for Lagos residents, noting that unlit roads had been responsible for some ghastly accidents.

Mr Bamisaiye recalled that in the past, reflective road markings on road surfaces, curbs, and signages, in addition to street lights, were used to provide enhanced visibility and guidance for drivers and pedestrians on the highway.

He urged the government to upgrade existing street lights and install solar-powered lights in areas without access to regular electricity.

Mr Bamisaiye appealed to the government to engage local communities to take responsibility for street light maintenance and reporting outages to help ensure timely repairs and replacements.

“Lagos is working on achieving a smart city status so it should improve implementing smart lighting systems that allow for remote monitoring and control of street lights.

“This enables real-time adjustments to lighting levels, optimising energy usage and ensuring lights are operational,” he said.

Mr Bamisaiye emphasised that ensuring this would improve the quality of life for citizens, promote economic growth and optimise city functions. 

(NAN)