One of the most important things for government to do at this critical time aside combating insecurity, food scarcity is to be intentional especially serious in constructing durable roads to further ensure a decline in road accidents.
The rate at which lives are lost on major highways is terrifying and mind boggling is the nonchalant attitude of concerned public office holders/leaders who are expected to provide motorable roads not forgetting other users.
Meanwhile, it is even worrisome and eyesore-like to be celebrating ‘normal’ tarring of few kilometers of roads after 64 years of independence by any tier of government in Nigeria. Unfortunately, that’s the recent trend. Why will any leader be commissioning/celebrating mere filling of potholes cum ordinary road maintenance and still name that as ‘tangible’ achievement in the 21st century? Ditto for the payment of civil servants workers. One would want to question how strategic previous leaders too were? Don’t you think government has failed greatly in this part of the world?
In fact, government has failed us in Ona Ara local government. The state government has abandoned us and we continue to be neglected/marginalized under Governor Seyi Makinde’s led government as many roads are in deplorable condition not to talk about the unimaginable rate of robbery and rampant extortion by police officers along Olorunsogo Axis. Obviously, Ona Ara local government needs effective law enforcement and improved infrastructure.
The highly devastating tragic incident that happened at Oke-Eleshin, Amuloko Area, Ona Ara Local Government, Oyo State in the early hours of today, Oct 14, 2024, resulting in multiple fatalities, claiming lives of mothers, students etc. wouldn’t perhaps had happened if government is proactive, responsive and responsible to taking to non political, unbiased public opinion on the need to stop patching road portions (with interlocking blocks) that rather need standard reconstruction.
I had noted in my previous letter to the council chairman, the newly installed Agbaakin of Araromi Aperin, Dr Kolapo Temitope (Glorious) when same Oke-Elesin was decorated with interlocking blocks that fixing an interstate (busy) road with interlocking blocks is typically dangerous and will worsen the case. Oke-Elesin is hilly and demands better attention. Then, I asked these fundamental questions; ‘Is the council boss not creating more deathtraps for residents? Rather than spend public funds on this evanescent project, while not see to leveraging on fixing the said road through the concerned unit of the state government? Or is Ona Ara local government not part of the operation no potholes agenda of the Oyo state government led by a competent and experienced Engineer?’
Be that as it may, I feel strongly the need to appreciate the consistent efforts of the Ilaji Resort Boss, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi for his continuous kindness, supporting Ona Ara Local Government Chairman, Dr. Kolapo Temitope (Glorious) in fixing so many potholes that are deathtraps for Ona Ara residents as the rehabilitative interventions always ease the difficulties encountered for a while. I also say kudos to the Executive Governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde for completing the first phase of Olorunsogo-Dagbolu dualization road Project. Your Excellency, kndly look into starting the second phase soon sir.
I hereby send my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I urge the local boss to seek lasting solutions and take concrete steps to avoiding future tragic occurrences happening at Oke-Elesin Amuloko Area, Ibadan.
Ona Ara a gbewa o!
Fakunle Busayo,
Political Conscious Voter,
Ona-Ara Local Government Area,
Oyo State.
