Residents of Olodo and its environs in Oyo State have continued to call on the state government to ease the stress of movement resulting from the collapsed Olodo Bridge between Oyo and Osun states by constructing alternative routes like like Galilee-Olodo Garage and Olodo Bank-Oju Irin.
Residents, who spoke with City & Crime, said the two road networks were useful but not motorable because of ditches and big stones.
The residents also suggested that the government should make a barricade at the only alternative route that was obtainable to avoid trailers on it, saying that the road might soon cave in and they would be totally cut off.
Mr Ismail Abdul, a resident, said, “My concern is the alternative route we are using. It has been a big trouble going in and out of it, and to worsen it, trailers and trucks also ply it, thus causing traffic and huge pot holes. Just two days ago two trucks broke down on it, causing a total blockage, and we had to make use of another unplanned route with hectic traffic.”
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A business woman, Iya Bisi Olopoewa, said, “The drivers charge more, but can we blame them? Fuel is costly, the road is bad. We the traders have to bear the burden. Let our government hear our cries and help us to mend those bad alternative routes. We know they are working, but we cannot continue to suffer on this one.”
Recall that Governor Oluwaseyi Makinde approved N12.5bn for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and dualisation of the Ibadan-Iwo road, promising that the 35.6km road project would span from the Iwo Road Interchange-Olodo-Lalupon in Ibadan to Odo Oba Road in Osun State.
To tackle the situation holistically, the governments of Oyo and Osun states signed an agreement for the reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of the 91.0km Osogbo (Dele Yes Sir Roundabout)-Iwo-Papa Village-Lalupon-Olodo Bridge-Iwo Road Interchange (Ibadan) Road. The joint contract was awarded to Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd in 2022 by Gov Makinde and former Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola.
