Ogun: Motorists, commuters raise concerns over Agosasa-Ipokia road

There are growing concerns over the deplorable state of the Agosasa-Ipokia road in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. Although motorists, commuters and residents who ply the road admitted that the government had put in some palliatives, there’s the need for a complete overhaul of the road, Daily Trust reports.

The Agosasa-Odo Afa-Ipokia road leads to about 300 communities, villages and settlements in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State. It equally connects Idiroko, the commercial capital of the local government and one of the major land borders in Nigeria.

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For years, the road has been in a deplorable condition, creating untoward hardship for users, especially during the rainy season.

Apart from being dotted with potholes and crafters, the Odo Afa (Afa river) axis of the road has been problematic at the wet season. When it rains, the river overflows its boundary, washes away hard surfaces and makes the road impassable.

The 350-metre bridge was approved for construction during the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, but it was abandoned. Daily Trust reports that the last wet season dealt a huge blow on the road, especially at the portion of Odo Afa, leaving users helpless for months.

In response to the outcry of residents of the area, Governor Dapo Abiodun, in August this year, ordered palliative measures on the road to cushion the effect of the hardship they suffered.

In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun admitted that the road “is very important to the entire road network of the axis as it connects towns within the local government area.’’ He ordered the commencement of work on the abandoned road.

According to him, the first phase of the project, started by the last administration in the state, will focus on the Afa River area while temporary measures to make the road motorable pending its completion has also commenced.

He said the reconstruction of the road had become imperative as it linked most wards and towns in Ipokia Local Government Area.

“The administration is keen on completing the road and all other abandoned projects for the interest of the people and their welfare. I plead with everyone affected by this development, especially through a temporary alteration in their daily schedules, to be patient with us as engineers complete work,’’ the governor stated.

Following this decision, contractors moved to the site and commenced work on the road to give reprieve to users. Between August and October, they had done major foundation works, including drainage around Odo Afa, as well as sand-filled major portions of the road.

However, road users who have been heaving a sigh of relief lamented that contractors had abandoned the site in the last two weeks.

A member representing Ipokia constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mrs Sikiratu Ajibola, confirmed to Daily Trust Saturday that the contractors had left the site.

She said that as a result of the state of the road, economic activities were scuttled on a daily basis as motorists and commuters found it difficult to do business. According to her, the affected local government area is closer to Benin Republic than Nigeria.

The lawmaker said it was time the people’s agitation for good roads yielded positive results.

She had previously noted that apart from the Agosasa-Ipokia