Community tasks Ogun gov on journalists’ estate bad road

Communities bordering Lagos and Ogun states have charged Governor Dapo Abiodun to address the plight of those whose only access road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has become impassable due to years of abandonment.

President of Arepo Central Community Development Association (ACCDA), Kehinde Adeyemo, made the appeal in a statement at the weekend, lamenting that the road built under former Governor Gbenga Daniel 15 years ago has collapsed and remains a death trap to residents.

Adeyemo said the community, which boasts of the first Journalists Estate in Africa rather than attract government’s attention, has been abandoned by past administrations.

“Although the road was awarded since 2006 to First August Construction Company during former Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s first term, there has been no effort to mobilise the contractor to site, while Amosun ignored pleas by the Arepo Community.

“Development groups comprising over 20 estates and communities in Arepo, further disclosed that although residents of the community have made several efforts, levying themselves and making monetary contributions to fix the road, not much has been achieved,” the statement reads.

Adeyemo stressed that the road requires government’s urgent attention with complete reconstruction.

Meanwhile, worried by the state of its healthcare system Governor Abiodun has pledged his administration’s commitment to revamp the sector at all levels.

Abiodun, who disclosed this at the weekend during the flag off of the second phase of Polio Outbreak Response Campaign at Ijebu-Ode Local Government Secretariat, said the critical role of child health in the growth and economic development of society.

Represented by his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the governor assured of his commitment towards ensuring one Primary Health Centre for each ward across the state during his first 100 days in office.

He explained that immunisation has reduced mortality rate among children under five, which he attributed to improved level of education and awareness in society.

Abiodun said the campaign was key to improving the immunity of children against Type 2 Oral Polio Virus that could cause paralysis and even death among children.

In his remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde, described immunisation as one of the potent and cost effective health intervention for the reduction of death among children under the age of five.