Residents of Ilupeju, Oke-Afa, Kajola, and Olowofela communities in Magboro, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have decried the deplorable state of their roads and health centre.
The residents who spoke to our reporter in separate interviews on Wednesday also lamented the absence of schools, health centres, and other basic amenities in the communities, calling on the state government to come to their assistance.
They, however, accused successive governments of abandoning their communities despite repeated appeals and promises.
During a visit to the four communities, our correspondents observed that the roads had become nearly impassable.
A hairdresser, who gave her name as Nancy, lamented that the bad roads had been submerged by floods during the rainy season.
She added that the situation had crippled her business.
“I barely get customers. I rented this shop because it was cheaper compared to the ones on the main road. But when it rains, it becomes worse. Sometimes, we even use canoes to get to our destinations,” she lamented.
Another resident, identified as Damola, said the condition of the road posed a grave risk to motorists and pedestrians alike.
“Several vehicles carrying goods either get stuck or have accidents while trying to manoeuvre the roads. Once a vehicle passes, people have to run off the road because of the danger,” he explained.
A sachet water factory owner, who gave his name only as AY, said efforts made by the communities to rehabilitate the road had repeatedly failed.
According to him, the rounds of rehabilitation had been unable to withstand the floods, which damaged them during the rainy season.
“We contribute money to fix the road, but once it rains, everything washes away. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve repaired my car. I’ve lived here for over 15 years, and every government promises but never delivers,” he said.
The Baale of Okeafa, Chief Mufutau Sanni, who said he has ruled for 55 years, accused past administrations of paying lip service to the plight of the communities.
He said the first executive governor of the state since the return to democracy in 1999, Olusegun Osoba, was the only one who provided basic amenities for the communities.
He said, “Only Governor Osoba did something tangible by giving us a transformer, electricity poles, and a health centre. Since then, nothing has been done. Governor Gbenga Daniel came and nothing happened, Ibikunle Amosun ignored us, and Dapo Abiodun has abandoned us. They only remember us during campaigns for elective positions.”
Speaking in the same vein, the Bashorun, Chief Razaq Fatai, described the situation as deliberate neglect.
“We have four large villages here, yet no governor has given us anything. They come, make promises during campaigns, and vanish after elections. It is our personal effort that is keeping this place alive,” he fumed.
Similarly, the Aare of the community, Jelili Omotedo, lamented the lack of schools, which forces children to trek long distances to Magboro and Ibafo every day.
“Our road gets flooded, and cars are grounded for months. We don’t even have security, stable electricity, or a proper health centre. We’ve written petitions and letters, but no one has responded,” he said.
Efforts to reach the Chairman of Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Adesina Ogunsola, proved abortive as he didn’t pick up calls made to his telephone line. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works, D.A. Akinsanya, said construction was ongoing in some parts of the state, adding that all the roads could not be fixed at once.
“There is construction work ongoing from Akute to Agbado and Magboro. We can’t do everything,” he said.
