Politics
By Samuel Ibezim
The people of Arepo in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State came out in their numbers to raise funds to complete the building of their main access road that they started in January. The self-help effort by the community to raise funds to build the road followed several failed attempts to get the Ogun State government to fix the bad road.
Kehinde Adeyemo, president of Arepo Central Community Development Association, ACCDA, said in his speech that the road that leads to 18 residential estates was awarded six years ago by Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State governor, but was abandoned as the sign post erected at the Journalist Estate Phase 1 gate-end of the road shows. The road remained untouched and impassable for motorists and pedestrians, he said, adding that Amosun while campaigning for re-election in 2015 assured them that he will fix it but did nothing despite their several visits to the government.
Adeyemo said that both the residents and the state ministry of works had constructed culverts in the past to ameliorate it.
He said that over N18 million had been spent so far on the road to make it accessible, adding that the money was raised by individual contributions and mandating every landlord to pay N100, 000 per household. He assured the residents of accountability and regular updates on a notice board at the gate house and on ACCDA whatsaApp platform.
“We need every kobo we can raise through the support and participation of all to fix this access road. We have seen how our road can look like when we are able to spend money on it so let’s support this project with all our might,” Adeyemo said.
Adeshina Shittu, Shalom Estate chairman, said that there was a lot of doubt when the work started as many were afraid of not completing it because of the amount involved. He thanked the Adeyemo-led exco for walking the talk and assured the residents that they won’t relent in completing the road as it would not only reduce the constant failing of their vehicles but also improve their security and welfare.
Razaq Asaju, a landlord, explained efforts he took on personal capacity to lobby his friends in the governor’s cabinet for the road to be constructed but did not succeed. He accused the government of only collecting tax from them as residents of the state but deny them amenities with claims that they are part of Lagos state.
, vice-president 2 of the community, also said that there is no going back in fixing the road. She said that the government should be ashamed for not being faithful to its words and advised them to make a U-turn by taking over the project from them.
Realnews gathered that the bad road was first constructed in 2008 by Gbenga Daniel, former governor of the state, but it did not last because of no drainage system and heavy trucks which convey building materials to sites.
Currently, work is ongoing on the road leading to the estates as part of the lane has been fixed with solid drainage to a tolerable stage. Though the road is not asphalted, the interlock construction is solid and durable.
It is the wish of Arepo community to see the government take over and complete the project or leave them to their fate and face the political consequence as it is few months to general election.
ACCDA has the target of raising N150 million to enable it construct the about 1.7 kilometre road.
– Jun. 11, 2018 @ 14:55 GMT |
Tags: ACCDA Adeshina Shittu Imelda Dare Kehinde Adeyemo president of Arepo Central Community Development Association Shalom Estate chairman The people of Arepo in Obafemi Owode local government area of Ogun State
