Residents of Ilobu, Ifon-Osun and Erin-Osun and motorists plying Osogbo-Ogbomoso have cried to the Federal Government to help in completing the abandoned road.
Those who spoke with InsightMedia on Tuesday expressed fear over the state of the road as Eid-l-Kabir sallah approaches.
Motorists were specific about the entry and exit points of the Erinle bridge, Olobu market area up to Ifon-Osun. Many described these points as death traps, adding that accidents occur there on daily basis.
On of the residents, Wasiu Babalola said motorists spend up to 30 minutes on the bridge due to state of the road. He called on the federal government to bring the contractor handling the road project back to the site.
“The road has become a death trap. We record crashes there on daily basis. More so, motorists spend up to 30 minutes on the bridge as a result of bad road and narrowness of the bridge. This has affected the movement of vehicles greatly. Like today (Tuesday) now, there was an accident in the morning and queue has started piling up. This becomes worse on market days,” Babalola said.
“We call on the federal government to bring the contractor back to the site. More so, they should hasten work on the bridge. It has taken too much time.”
A commercial driver, Jelili Olawale told InsightMedia that commuters plying the road apart from spending much time, they also spend hugely on spare parts as a result of poor road network.
“We spend too much time on the road and also spend huge amount on spare parts every week as a result of this bad road. Look at water everywhere. When they started, we thought they would complete it but they have abandoned it for long time. Even the areas they do are becoming dilapidated again. We urge President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Gboyega Oyetola to help us out. The suffering here is too much.” Visibly angry Olawale said.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Kazeem Alabi said road from the Erinle bridge to Ifon-Osun has been so bad.
Alabi also called on the contractor handling the bridge project to complete the levelling up of the other side to allow partial movement during the Eid period in order to ease movement on the around the area.
“We as a community appeal to the federal government to help us with the road. It started in 2013 and we’re still on it till today. We want them to bring the contractor back to site to complete it. We also want to appeal to the contractor handling the bridge to help complete the levelling up on the other side so that vehicles can pass during this festive period. He can block it again after the festival.”
We’re taking over the road – Osun Govt
When contacted, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr Remi Omowaiye said the administration of Governor Oyetola has concluded plans to take over the road project from the Lameco junction to Ifon-Osun.
Omowaiye said the contract which has started since 2013 is taking too much time and the State government will get the road done as soon as possible.
“We’re taking over the reconstruction of that road from Lameco junction to Ifon-Osun. Plans have been concluded and we shall commence work as soon as possible.
“The project has started since year 2013 and it’s taking too much time. So we will take over and start afresh.” Omowaiye said.
