Residents, traders, and commuters who utilize Iberekodo-Mawuko Street in the Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State are appealing to the state government for urgent repairs due to the current vulnerability it poses to them against kidnappers.
These residents, who voiced their concerns in separate interviews on Wednesday, expressed distress over the deteriorated state of the road, which has created an environment for kidnappers to operate freely.
They lamented that the poor condition of the road has also negatively impacted commercial activities in the area, leading many property owners to abandon their homes for more accessible communities.
A resident identified as Abioye informed said that there are concerns about the presence of kidnappers in the area.
She said, “The awful condition of the street is influencing our organizations, and deals of our products have dropped in light of the fact that when the street was in great shape, drivers of trucks, tippers and vehicles frequently arrived at this area to wash their vehicles. However, since the street got awful, we are not making deals like previously.
“There is additionally the issue of capturing. There are reports that a few ruffians are starting to hide around this area. A little while back, somebody was fired by obscure shooters around here.”
She pointed out that some members of the community have abandoned their homes to relocate to better-connected neighborhoods where they can access basic amenities.
“This street interfaces Opeji, Eruwa and Alabata, yet the awful condition of the street has decreased development. Not just dealers are bemoaning; a few property holders have abandoned their homes for a superior local area because of the terrible street,” Abioye further explained.
A commercial motorcyclist known as Abdullahi, who operates in the Iberekodo, Mawuko, Ajegunle, and Abule-Ayo area of the road, revealed that the road has taken a toll on his health due to the daily stress he endures. His motorcycle has also quickly deteriorated because of the poor road conditions.
“Assuming you go through the street from Iberekodo to Mawuko, it is terrible to the point that wherever is loaded up with disintegration, potholes and mud, which frequently bring about body torments when I get back after working all day. I frequently find it hard to get up for work the following day,” Abdulahi said.
Another resident, Oluwasegun Adeyemo, who deals in stones, noted that the bad road has brought his business to a standstill. The road leading to the stream where he and his team usually mine sand has been damaged, preventing them from conducting their business.
Adeyemo pleaded with the state government to intervene and fix the road to alleviate the daily suffering experienced by those using it.
When contacted about the issue of kidnapping, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, stated that the police had not received any reports of such incidents.
“I have not gotten that report. When I get it, I will tell you,” Odutola said.
The Special Adviser to the Ogun Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akisanya, mentioned that there are no plans to repair the road this year due to limited funds.
“Not this year, potentially in 2024/2025. We have restricted reserves that should be spread across the 20 nearby government regions. We simply should show restraint,” he said.