Residents of Iyana Adiyan, Gas Line and Randle communities in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene in the deplorable condition of the road linking the communities, describing it as a death trap.
The residents also urged the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Solomon Adeola, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oladipupo Adebutu, to prioritise the construction of the road in their plans ahead of the governorship election.
They said the poor state of the road had adversely affected economic activities in the area, while several residents had reportedly sustained injuries in avoidable accidents.
A visit to the area showed that the road, particularly the stretch from Iyana Adiyan to Randle, was riddled with large potholes, deep craters and muddy sections.
The condition was reportedly worse during rainfall, when the slippery surface made movement difficult for motorists and other road users.
Only a few vehicles were seen using the route, with many residents relying on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, for transportation.
Some motorists had also modified their vehicles by raising their suspensions to increase ground clearance and make it easier to navigate the damaged road.
Residents said the road, which stretches for about four kilometres and provides a potential link to Mowe, remains incomplete because a bridge is required across a stream along the route.
Adesola Adekunle, Chairman of the Otitoleke Community Development Association, lamented what he described as the lack of government intervention in the area.
He said repeated efforts by residents to maintain the road had failed to provide a lasting solution.
“We always face hardship on this road, and we are fed up. There is no intervention from the government. Residents are the only people maintaining the road,” Adekunle said.
He added that travelling between the Agbado bridge area and Randle was particularly difficult, forcing many residents to abandon their vehicles and rely on motorcycles.
“This road leads to Mowe, but we need a bridge on the stream in the area. It is a 10-minute ride to Mowe. At night, we usually see Redeemed Camp from here. The government can open up this area by constructing the road. It will help us a lot,” he said.
Adekunle also raised concerns about flooding and erosion, saying the absence of proper drainage and water channels had worsened the condition of the area.
He said residents had previously approached the chairman of Ifo Local Government Area over the road without seeing any significant intervention.
“We have met with the Chairman of Ifo Local Government but nothing has been done on the road. We appeal to the governor to also have mercy on us,” he said.
Motorists who spoke during a visit to the area on Sunday also complained about the cost of maintaining their vehicles because of the poor condition of the road.
One of them, Bolaji Adam, accused successive administrations of neglecting the community and said motorists faced serious difficulties using the route, particularly during rainfall.
“We have never enjoyed government in this area. There is no road, water, school or electricity. This road has been like this for over 10 years; no government has deemed it fit to construct it despite the huge population here,” Adam said.
He alleged that politicians routinely visited the community during election periods to make promises that were not subsequently fulfilled.
Adam appealed to Abiodun and candidates seeking to govern the state to address the road as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and economic activity in the area.
“We’re pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun and all the candidates of the political parties, especially the APC and PDP, to please see to the construction of this road,” he said.
