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Imala in Abeokuta North Local Government Area in Ogun. Photo Credit: Taiwo Bankole
Residents of Imala in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State have decried the deplorable condition of about 7km road leading to the community.
The residents said the road constructed by the late first Premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo around 1959 before independence had over the years been neglected, becoming a thorn in the flesh of its daily users due to its present terrible condition.
They said that the poor state of the road has negatively impacted the community’s socio-economic development and made life unbearable to the community’s residents.
One of the community leaders, Mr Steven Adetomiwa, who spoke with the PUNCH Metro on Tuesday said that they could no longer keep silent over the hardship they suffer daily on the road.
Adetomiwa begged Abiodun for urgent interventions that would help to consign their pains to the dustbin of history.
He stated that they have written severally to appropriate quarters concerning the bad road but nothing has been done on it.
He disclosed further that the condition of the road is nothing to write home about, saying that the community had been intervening in the patching of the road to make it motorable.
Adetomiwa said, “We are pleading for the urgent interventions of Gov Abiodun on this deplorable road which was constructed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo before independence.
“The 7 kilometres road that crosses Imala township should be prioritised as it’s deemed to be one of the worst roads in Ogun State.
“We the entire residents of Imala community plead with the Honourable Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ade Akinsaya and our dear Governor, Dapo Abiodun to spread the construction and rehabilitation road project to our community which falls under Ward 14 overwhelmingly voted for the governor’s re-election in 2023.
“We are really suffering as a result of this bad road and we plead with Gov Abiodun to wipe away our tears and suffering on this road. We appreciate his good works across the state and pray that he should please come to our aid as well by helping to reconstruct this road and give us a fresh breath of life”.
Another resident, Johnson Olabode also expressed his sadness over the discomfort and pains usually experienced on the road due to its terrible condition.
Pa Olabode, the 83-year-old retired Director from the state civil service explained that the road had been long abandoned by previous administrations and that all efforts made in the past to get the government to fix the road have yielded no fruit.
He said “Anytime I risk going to Imala with my car I must visit the mechanic workshop when I return to Abeokuta. The road is that terrible and it has caused the underdevelopment of the community.
“Our people who are mainly into farming find it difficult to bring their farm produce to the market because of the deplorable condition of the road. It is just like we have been cut off from being part of Ogun State
“We sincerely beg Gov Dapo Abiodun to help us reconstruct this Imala road. The road had been neglected by the successive government no matter how hard we tried to bring the poor condition of the road to their hearing.
“The economy along this axis of the state will witness boom and transformation once the road is fixed. We are really begging the governor to come to our aid and help us fix this road.”
