By Femi Seun Oluwa
Akute, Lambe, Ijoko, Agbado and Alagbole are in the outer areas of Ogun State. Currently, all the adjoining roads to these communities are in deplorable conditions just as there are no support infrastructure to show that there is presence of government in these areas.
Residents of these communities go through untold hardships particularly during the rainy season.
The road construction, expansion and five flyovers had been initiated by the administration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
Unfortunately, the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration could not complete the projects before the end of that government although massive works had been carried out by the contractor, identified as Central South Construction Company limited.
On assumption of office in 2019, Governor Dapo Abiodun had made a solemn promise that he would complete the projects and others commenced by his predecessors, but two years down the line, nothing has been done particularly on the Akute – Lambe- Agbado road. Going by the realities on ground, there is nothing to indicate that Dapo Abiodun’s administration will complete these projects before its tenure ends.
In July 2020, precisely two years ago, the Governor announced that palliative works had commenced on the long abandoned Ojodu-Abiodun-Akute in the Ifo Local Government area of the state.
The government also promised to reconstruct and not just rehabilitate the 4.65-kilometre stretch of road at the end of the rainy season that year, according to a report by The Punch.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, who spoke on government’s behalf, said the palliative work currently going on in the area was just a temporary measure to reduce the hardship being experienced by road users.
Akinsanya also disclosed that aside the 4.65-kilometre Ojodu Abiodun/Akute road, the road coming from Sango to Akute would also be worked on.
He said: “This road is a vital road. This road linking us (Ogun State) with Lagos State is part of the economic linkage this administration is trying to revitalise in this area. Two years down the line, no palliative work is ongoing on the road.
Again Gov Abiodun Promises To Work On Roads In Akute, Sango
In a post on his Facebook page, on July 25, 2022, Governor Abiodun again promised to take actions on the road linking Akute-Oke Aro-Agbado-Ijoko-Sango Ota.
He also shared photos from his recent visit to the dilapidated road, saying the visit gave him the opportunity to chat with residents.
“It was indeed a valued, road project inspection visit yesterday (Sunday), as I had ample time to have heart-to-heart talks with the people. I have listened, first hand, to the plights of the people, and in three weeks at the maximum, there will be verifiable results, especially in Ojodu-Abiodun-Akute-Oke Aro-Agbado-Ijoko-Sango Ota Road and Lagos-Sango Ota-Abeokuta Road”, Abiodun was quoted as saying.
With this latest assurance by the governor, residents are hopeful that the Ojodu-Akute-Olambe- Oke Aro-Agbado-Ijoko-Sango Ota Road, currenrly in a sorry state, will soon become one of the best roads in Ogun state and Nigeria.
It is their fervent prayer that this will not turn out to be one of those unfulfilled promises.