Residents of Aduraleke in Odeda Local Government Area, Ogun State, on Monday appealed to the government to repair a dilapidated bridge that adjoins 10 communities in the area, thereby saving users from the life-threatening experience of flooding during the rainy season.

They also called on the current administration to repair the roads in deplorable condition across the communities before the heavy downpour begins in the state, as predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

The Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman, Abdulgafar Tijani, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview in Abeokuta, the state capital, said that the leadership of the CDC had written several letters to the state government concerning the poor conditions of the bridge and road network in the area but had yet to receive any response.

Tijani, who lamented that the bridge could collapse, making it difficult for motorists and other road users to use the roads leading to the bridge, called for immediate government intervention on the bridge and the road, which had been earmarked for construction since 2011.

He said that repairing the road, which cuts across notable areas including Obantoko, Bode-Oludu, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB) Abeokuta, among others, would ease traffic congestion and promote socio-economic development in the community.

Tijani stated that the poor condition of the road network had hampered the construction of quality healthcare centres by both private individuals and the government, as well as affecting trade, modern amenities, and the local economy in the area.

He said, “We lack social amenities in this area, even the bridge that links 10 communities in Aduraleke is in dilapidated conditions and could cave in anytime, especially during this rainy season. We are appealing to Governor Dapo Abiodun to come to our rescue and assist us in repairing this bridge.
“We also want the governor to help us fix our road network linking from Bode-Olude to Obantoko, FUNAAB road and others that I cannot remember to ease traffic congestion and pave the way for development in the healthcare, trade, and local economy for the development of the area,” he added.

The CDC chairman, therefore, appealed to Abiodun to urgently address the community’s plight by constructing the road, rehabilitating the bridge, and revitalising the health centre.