Locals demand swift fixing of deteriorated highway in Ogun

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Residents and motorists using the Sango-Idiroko Road in Ogun State have appealed to the Ogun State Government to urgently repair failed sections of the road.

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The commuters, who spoke with PUNCH Metro during a visit to the area on Friday, lamented that the deteriorating condition has made movement difficult and worsened traffic congestion.

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According to them, the damaged portions of the busy highway had become a daily nightmare for motorists and residents.

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During the visit, our correspondent observed several potholes shortly after entering the road from the Sango Ota Bus Stop, with many motorists slowing down to navigate the failed sections.

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The Ojuore end of the road to Fowobi Junction was also found to have collapsed, causing severe traffic congestion as motorists struggled to navigate the narrow motorable portion.

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Motorists said the situation had persisted for months, resulting in frequent vehicle breakdowns and longer travel times.

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One of the motorists, who identified himself only as Azeez Osuolale, said the road’s poor condition had become a major source of hardship for road users.

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“We use this road every day, but it keeps getting worse. During rush hour, you can spend more than an hour on a journey that should ordinarily take just a few minutes. Many vehicles have developed faults because of the potholes, and commercial drivers are passing the extra cost to passengers,” he said.

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Another motorist, Mrs Oluwaseun Adeyemi, said the damaged sections had worsened due to the rainy season.

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“When it rains, the potholes are covered with water, making it difficult for motorists to know how deep they are. Some vehicles have broken down after driving into them. We are pleading with the government to fix this road before it leads to more accidents,” she said.

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A resident who preferred not to be named said the bad portions of the road had also become a security concern, especially at night when vehicles were forced to slow down.

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“Once motorists reduce their speed because of the potholes, they become vulnerable. We have heard of cases where hoodlums take advantage of the situation to harass or rob road users, particularly at night. This road is too important to be left in this condition,” the resident disclosed.

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PUNCH Metro also observed that construction of a flyover bridge was ongoing around the Ojuore axis near the Living Faith Bible Church, with heavy construction equipment deployed to the site.

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While commending the government for the ongoing project, motorists urged the authorities not to overlook other failed portions of the highway.

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They specifically called for urgent intervention on the stretch between Onibuku, Baba Ode and Goro, describing it as another critical section in need of rehabilitation.

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A resident, Sesan Lawal, who also runs a motorcycle business in the area, said, “The government is trying with the flyover project, and we appreciate that. But other parts of this road also deserve urgent attention. The Onibuku, Baba Ode, and Goro axes are in a terrible condition. If nothing is done soon, the damage will become worse, and motorists will continue to suffer unnecessarily,” another commuter, Sulaimon Lawal, said.

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The state Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, could not be reached for comments as calls made to her telephone line on Sunday were not responded to. A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

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PUNCH Metro reported on June 18 that residents of Agbado, Abule Ijoko, Itoki, Ope-Ilu and other adjoining communities in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State have lamented the untold hardship caused by dilapidated roads in the area.

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