RESIDENTS of Ojodu-Abiodun, a community in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, detest the total neglect of their territory by successive administrations in the state, despite their past promises.

Carefully tucked inside Lagos, but geographically and administratively located in Ogun State, the border town was expected to benefit from the developmental policies offered by both states, but instead, it is in a world of its own.

For years, the community had watched the development in nearby communities, which are in Lagos State territory, while their own community wastes away. With the body language of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, since he came back to office, the residents are in doubt whether help would ever come their way.
The story is the same in Akute, Koye, Legun and Iju Water Works, Oke-Aro, Maidun, Legun and Agbado, among other communities that also share boundary with Lagos.

Of the communities, the case of Ojodu-Abiodun is very peculiar. In terms of development, there is no government presence at all. All the roads are in bad shape. Apart from road, they lack public water facilities, public schools and other basic infrastructures. It is an understatement that government has forgotten the community. In fact, many residents are pleading with Lagos State government to take over the community from Ogun.

The roads are dotted with potholes, ditches and craters. Only vehicles such as sport utility vehicles, trucks, tippers and pick-up vans could manage through the dusty road.
In the rainy season, the major road linking the community with the outside world is always flooded, making it immotorable. Whenever there is downpour, only few vehicles could attempt to navigate the road.

The Guardian learnt from a resident, Akanni Jimoh that whenever there is heavy downpour, at some point, the water reaches the knee. He said cars usually breakdown in the water, making it a grueling experience for pedestrians, especially students whenever they are going to school.

It was gathered that during floods, private schools around the community, used canoe to convey pupils, as no parent could risk allowing their wards to pass through the water.
According to Jimoh, motorists plying the route, visit mechanic workshops often, while residents working along the flooded route usually go out with two sets of clothing and two pairs of shoes.

Said he, “For years, we have been calling on government to fix the road for us. Lagos has fixed the road from its own end. Apart from that road, we also lack potable water. Only the rich who can afford digging of wells and boreholes in their houses have water, while the rest have to buy water. There is no public water facility here.”
A community leader, Chief Adeogun Alani, who pleaded with the state government to fix their road and provide necessary infrastructure, said Amosun promised to extend his developmental projects to the area, but is yet to fulfill his promise.
He appealed to the governor to fulfill his electoral promises to the people, to end their suffering.