The Agony of Ogun Residents Over Deplorable Roads

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Aladesanmi Oke Ibukun area. Photo credit: Okikiola

When rehabilitation work of roads in the Ogun state was suspended by the current administration, commuters, road users, and citizens who had endured four years, of the anguish of interminable deplorable condition of roads in Ogun state expressed their agony, a known fact is majority part of the state roads are impasse, causing health hazards, and affecting the economy and social activities.

Fortressnews reports the hellish experience of Ogun citizens over the deplorable roads, whereby commuters lamented horribly on the roads since the assumption of Dapo Abiodun in which many described that many of roads in the state have gone bad and at the same time rating his scorecard on the provision of social amenities as zero, road users have endured untold hardships in the state.

Even though road construction was part of a major key Campaign during the 2023 election for the reelection of the second term, why did some other responsive governments manage this road construction well and reduce the inevitable inconvenience to the public, Ogun state case is the other side of the coin.

This reporter moves around the state to capture the condition of roads and how it has affected the daily routine of the citizens on an economic basis and social activities.

On a rainy Friday, commuters were stuck on Saje Elega road due to heavy downpours and the road became miserable, they lamented that they had been experiencing hardship daily due to the poor condition of the road. It was also stated that the poor road is affecting transportation and easygoing of road users in the axis.

Asero area in Ogun. Photo credit: Okikiola

Speaking with fortressnews, one Mr Yusuf Adesina lamented from Shaje to Elega junction only one way that has been completed is affected by erosion.

He pointed out Bode Olude area in Odeda is very bad.

He said, “Shaje to Elega junction, erosion has destroyed it to the extent that heavy-duty trucks can only pass one way because they may fall if trying to pass the main road.

Secondly, from there to Bode Olude, it’s very bad to the extent that it looks like it hasn’t been done before it always causes hold-ups when it’s raining.

Also, some key areas in the same Local Government in which residents of the following communities within the central Moore junction, Ebenezer, Fajol, Alogi, Soyoye, and Rounda, lamented the dilapidated condition of major roads within the district.

Similarly, Mr. Walihilahi Adebayo who resides in Obafemi Owode local government area also registered displeasure about the condition of roads in the area, noting that road conditions are very bad starting from Mapoly gate to Oba road which he said that is affecting the business of the community.

Going forward, this reporter further widen his coverage to some key area in Abeokuta South Local Government, Ogun state, such as Oke-ibukun the road that leads to Aladesanmi Asero, Abeokuta is also another hellish area to talk about when it comes to bad road in Ogun state.

Abiola way. Photo credit : Mariam Olapade

Speaking with fortressnews, Miss Okikiola Adeyemi narrated living in the area is just like next to hell in terms of the deplorable condition of the roads that lead to the area.

She disclosed that even though you beg taxi with additional money to convey you to the area, they won’t go.

“The road is very bad to the extent that taxis and bikes don’t like going that way even if anyone wants to carry you, the amount will be too much to afford”

Meanwhile, Iberekodo, Ago ododo, Ajitadidun, Ilugun, and Mokola are nothing to write about when it comes to dilapidated roads in Abeokuta.

In the same development, a resident of Sagamu in the Sotubo area, decried of deplorable condition of the road in the area, saying that when it rains, they are in trouble, which is also affecting the business activities of the area.

“The road is always extremely bad during the rainy season, It also obstructs the smoothness of transportation most times.
It does not even permit a marketplace for the benefit of the people in the community”.

Meanwhile, according to a report published on 22 Sept 2022 in Daily Post with the headline ” Abiodun Signs Contract for Road Construction in Abeokuta North LG”

Part of the report goes does:

“Abiodun who made this known on Friday while speaking at the Abeokuta North Local Government unified wards meeting of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) held at Oba Adeleye Park, Totoro, Abeokuta, said the contract was signed on Monday after he embarked on on-the-spot-assessment of the roads last weekend”.

“He also promised to continue prioritizing the infrastructural development of the state to ensure that no part is left out”.

“The governor explained that his visit to Ilugun, Iberekodo, Saje, and Elega areas in the local government was to show how important the roads were to the commercial activities of Abeokuta and the state at large”.

“Appreciating the people of Abeokuta North for their support, Abiodun said that the current administration would ensure that necessary amenities are provided across the state as part of its efforts at making the environment more friendly and inhabitable”.

Note: This report is not meant to paint Gov. Abiodun’s administration black, but to remind him of some critical needs of the good people of Ogun state.