The residents of Laderin and Olokuta, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, took to the streets to protest the deplorable state of Olokuta Road early on a rainy Saturday morning.
In a display of unity, the residents braved the rain, clutching placards as they voiced their frustrations over the appalling condition of Olokuta Road, which serves as a critical link between the Professor Wole Soyinka Train Station and the suburbs of Abeokuta.
During the protest, the demonstrators chanted slogans and sent a clear message to the government, declaring, “All we are saying is give us good roads.” In a captured video from the protest grounds, the residents expressed their concerns that the poor road conditions could potentially impact a power line, posing risks to lives and properties.
In separate interviews with the protesters, The Guardian gathered that the road had been neglected, making it susceptible to accidents, traffic congestion, and hardships for motorists.
The residents of Laderin and Olokuta, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Saturday took to the streets to protest the deplorable state of Olokuta Road.
Credit: @oracle390 for The Guardianhttps://t.co/0K3mhH89YW#Abeokuta #OgunState #BadRoads #SOS pic.twitter.com/ZWDaw1mD5n
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) September 16, 2023
Akintunde Ahmed Babatunde, a banker, highlighted the road’s detrimental effects on the communities that rely on it for daily commuting. He lamented, “As you can clearly see in the captured video, the road is in a miserable state, making it difficult for all residents and commuters. We are forced to take longer routes to get home.”
Akintunde pleaded with the state government to take immediate action to repair the road, emphasising, “Every responsible citizen desires a conducive environment. We expect these officials to heed our calls when we need them, as it is disheartening that nothing has been done despite the road leading to a prominent train station in Abeokuta.”
Regarding community efforts to draw the government’s attention to the road’s condition, Akintunde added, “Our protest today is yet another effort to raise awareness, although this is not the first time, and it certainly won’t be the last until the government hears our pleas.”
Similarly, Daniel Odekunle, a student at The Polytechnic Ibadan, shared the road’s adverse impact on road users. He recounted, “Bad roads have taken a toll on me and my friends. My friend has to repair his car every week due to the poor road conditions, often dealing with issues like a damaged silencer and bumper.”
He further explained, “What should be a 10-minute journey turns into 25 minutes due to the road’s condition. The community is also suffering because there is no development, and it is gradually becoming more rural. Car owners sometimes opt for motorcycles just to reach their destinations on time, and the motorcyclists take advantage of the bad road to charge higher fares.”
The residents were united in their call for the state government to reconstruct the deteriorating roads. They emphasised the importance of assigning the road project to capable individuals and ensuring proper supervision to prevent misappropriation of funds.
Olusola Falana, an entrepreneur in the area, highlighted how the bad road had negatively impacted businesses, leading to reduced patronage. He lamented, “Transport fares have increased due to the bad road. All our cars are left at home, and only motorcycle owners, popularly known as ‘okada,’ navigate the road. Business owners in the area suffer from low patronage.”
Falana revealed that the community had previously invited the chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government to intervene but was informed that the damage was beyond the local government’s capabilities. He pleaded with the state government for immediate intervention, saying, “We are now appealing to the state government to come to our rescue so that we can enjoy the benefits of democracy.”
An anonymous Ogun resident also highlighted how the bad road had led to increased motorcycle fares, making it a challenging and uncomfortable journey for commuters. Reflecting on the state government’s previous achievements, the resident expressed doubt about the Local Government’s capacity to fund road reconstruction and acknowledged the community’s efforts to make the road more passable using personal resources.
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