Residents of Iyana Adiyan, Gas Line and Randle communities in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate the road linking the communities, describing its current condition as a “death trap.”
The residents specifically called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene and facilitate the construction of the road, which they said has become a major source of hardship for commuters and residents.
They also appealed to the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Solomon Adeola, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oladipupo Adebutu, to include the road project in their respective development plans as they seek to govern the state.
According to the residents, the deplorable condition of the road has negatively affected economic activities in the area, while several commuters have reportedly sustained injuries in what they described as avoidable road crashes.
A visit to the area by our correspondent confirmed the poor state of the road, with large craters, deep potholes and slippery muddy surfaces making movement difficult.
The road from Iyana Adiyan to Randle was particularly difficult to navigate, especially during rainfall, forcing motorists and other road users to reduce their speed considerably.
Residents said the situation had also affected transportation, as only a few vehicles were willing to ply the route. Many residents have consequently resorted to commercial motorcycles as their major means of transportation.
Several vehicles seen on the road had also reportedly been modified or raised to increase their ground clearance and enable them to navigate the rough terrain.
The road, which stretches for about four kilometres and is expected to provide a link to Mowe, remains incomplete due to a stream along the route that requires the construction of a bridge.
Speaking on the situation, the Chairman of Otitoleke Community Development Association, Adesola Adekunle, lamented what he described as the absence of meaningful government intervention in the area.
Adekunle said repeated efforts by residents to maintain the road had failed because the scale of the problem required government intervention.
He appealed to the state government and the various political candidates to prioritise the construction of the road, stressing that its completion would significantly improve transportation, economic activities and the general wellbeing of residents.
The residents expressed hope that the government and political candidates would respond to their concerns before the condition of the road deteriorates further.
