Federal Government Urged to Complete Bridge on Ikirun-Ogbomoso Road, Osun State
The abandoned bridge on the Ikirun – Ogbomoso road has become a source of concern for the agrarian communities in the region for years. Despite its strategic importance, the bridge has been left to deteriorate, posing a significant threat to the livelihoods of farmers and traders who rely on the road as the only means of transportation in this region.
The bridge, whose construction was initiated by the Federal Government of Nigeria years ago and awarded to MM & IF Construction Company was meant to facilitate the movement of goods and services among the cities and towns of Ikirun, Eko-Ende, Ore, Ilie, Iregba, Iresa and several other adjoining villages in Osun and Oyo states. The abandoned bridge has made the construction of the road that connects these cities and towns to be left in a state of coma.
However, due to lack of funding and attention, the project was abandoned, leaving the communities to suffer the consequences.
The absence of a functional bridge and good road have resulted in loss of lives and agricultural produce, increased transportation costs, reduced access to markets, and decreased economic opportunities for the people. The situation is particularly dire during the rainy season, when the alternative routes become impassable, leaving farmers and traders stranded.
“We are appealing to the Federal Government of Nigeria to come to our aid by completing this bridge and construct the road from Ikirun – Ogbomosho, which have been neglected for years. The bridge and road are critical to our economic survival, and giving them the required attention will have a significant impact on our livelihoods,” said His Royal Highness, Oba Abdulwaheed Babatunde Adekunle, FCA, the Elende of Eko Ende.
The Ikirun-Ogbomoso road is a vital artery that connects several agrarian communities and Ogbomoso. The road is also an important route for the transportation of goods and services between the southwestern states and the rest of the country. It is the main route to Ogbomoso for transportation of goods and services for the residents of the Central Senatorial District of Osun State. The economic loss in monetary value is in millions and this has equally slow down the rate of development and industrialisation.
“We urge the Federal Government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. The completion of the bridge will not only benefit the people of Osun State but also contribute to the overall economic development of the country.” said a community leader in Eko Ende , Alhaji Ahmed Akinwoye
As the rainy season approaches, the people of Ikirun, Eko Ende and surrounding communities are anxiously waiting for the Federal Government to respond to their pleas. The completion of the bridge is not just a matter of infrastructural development; it is a matter of economic survival for the people and contributions to agricultural development and industrialization, bringing about a significant increase in the Gross Domestic Products(GDP).
The people of Osun Central Senatorial District and surrounding communities are counting on the Federal Government to come to their aid , complete the bridge and road. We urge the government to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take immediate action to alleviate the suffering of the people and put an end to economic loss in this region.
Ajiboye writes from Osogbo
