NO TRASH WITHOUT WORTH
It is not uncommon to associate thuggery, fighting, and violence of any kind with life under-the-bridge in which Ojuelegba is not an exception. Over the years, under-the-bridge had been identified with different riotous activities at one point or the other. The latest been the clash between The Police and The Soldiers at Abalti Barracks over the use of commuter bus popular known as ‘danfo’.
As a result of these violent activities, commuters are always cautious of the life under the bridge. Some of them express fear of being attacked by pocket snatchers, hand bag snatchers and gentle men of the underworld. This fear makes people to be time conscious while passing Ojuelegba. It is not strange therefore, to see fewer commuters and pedestrians at dusk.
However, a coin will always have two sides. Life is fun for some people here at Ojuelegba most especially under the bridge, not only for the commercial bus drivers and their conductors called ’agberos’ but also market men and women.
In Lagos, where there is constant war between tenants and their landlords over indiscriminate increase in house and shop rents, under the bridge Ojuelegba had been able to accommodate such people who not only pitch their tents but in addition put up kiosks of various magnitude to create room for their businesses. Some business men and women are so blessed under the bridge that they need not worry about electricity as transport unions have successfully fixed light under the bridge fort proper illumination.
Through their constant cordial and friendly interaction with the ‘agbero boys’ and the unit chairmen give them security needed t ensure not only their safety but also of their goods. It is a splendid atmosphere for these business men and women that while others panic and hurry to pass by, they relax and smile without fear of any kind.
Life on Sundays is fun sometimes for the ‘agbero boys’ who take advantage of the empty space t play football. So, interesting that passersby are forced at times to stop and watch their interesting game, forgetting the fear of being attacked. This caught my attention and made me think that nothing is totally bad, if only we can look at the other side the coins; there are no trash without worth but benefits to be derived.
