Residents of Oke Sefu in Ibafo urge the Ogun State government to fix their deplorable access road.
Residents of Oke Sefu community, a rural settlement in the Ibafo area of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, have appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate their deplorable access road.
According to local inhabitants, business owners, and commercial motorcycle operators, the poor condition of the infrastructure has severely disrupted daily movement and negatively affected their livelihoods.
The appeal comes as persistent flooding, deep potholes, and slippery surfaces make the route nearly impassable during the rainy season, according to information published by punchng.
The Impact of Bad Roads on Daily Commuters
Motorcyclists struggle to navigate severe terrain while passengers frequently disembark to avoid accidents. Resident Abigail Damilola noted that pregnant women experience extreme discomfort and body pain due to excessive bumps and galloping along the route.
Transport fares have spiked, and routine travel times have lengthened significantly. Local workers face severe inconvenience trying to commute from their residences to surrounding areas for daily economic activities.
Challenges Faced by Commercial Motorcycle Riders
Commercial motorcycle operators, locally known as okada riders, report significant financial strain. Usman Sanni stated that passengers complain constantly about the roughness of the journey from Sefu to Ibafo.
Another rider, Adeola, explained that waterlogged sections damage motorcycle engines. Consequently, drivers must utilize longer alternative routes, stretching a standard seven-minute trip to fifteen minutes and consuming extra fuel.
Community Demands Beyond Road Infrastructure
Beyond transportation hurdles, local residents highlight compounding infrastructural deficits affecting their quality of life. Folasade Anike urged the administration to couple road reconstruction efforts with improvements to local electricity supply.
Unstable power distribution plagues the settlement, leaving inhabitants to cope with both deplorable access routes and persistent blackouts that hinder small businesses and daily domestic routines.
Ogun State Government Response
Reacting to the appeals, Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated that limited financial resources prevent the administration from simultaneously repairing every road across the state.
Kayode Akinmade emphasized that the government under Governor Dapo Abiodun prioritizes projects based on available revenue, noting that various infrastructure works have already been executed in Ibafo and Mowe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Oke Sefu community located?
The Oke Sefu community is a rural settlement situated in the Ibafo area of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State.
Why are Oke Sefu residents appealing to the Ogun State government?
Residents are demanding the urgent repair of their deplorable access road, which causes severe flooding, transport delays, vehicle damage, and physical discomfort during the rainy season.
What did the Ogun State government say about the road complaints?
Commissioner for Information and Strategy Kayode Akinmade stated that the government prioritizes road projects based on available resources and cannot fix all state roads simultaneously.
