“Abeg come down make I pass first, that spot deep well well,” Instructions like these are common to road users in Olambe, Akute, Alagbole and its environs as the roads - all under Ifo local government areas of Ogun State are very bad.

Now that the rains are here, the roads have gotten much worse and unmotorable. 

Eons Intelligence visited a plaza selling wholesale products. One the traders, identified as Mama Uche said she lost most of her customers over the years because of the deplorable conditions of the roads. 

“Dem say the road too bad,” she said. “Now I sell to only those around. No be now the road bad, naa the rain make am worse,” she said. 

Jimi, a trader at the Akute junction, told Eons Intelligence residents in these areas are only remembered during the election season. 

Unfortunately, there seems to be some credence to Jimi’s claims. Politicians seduce voters with sweet promises and extravagant manifestos. But neglect the people when they get to power.

“Politicians have destroyed this community and inflicted hardship on us. We don’t know what else to do again. We have begged, cajoled, written petitions, and protested, which has yielded no result. Yet, at every election cycle, they come around and swarm like bees to woo voters. After the elections, they disappear and become inaccessible.”

 Mr Babajide Jaiyeoba, a community leader and chairman of Ajoda Community Development Association (CDA), told the Guardian in January 2019. 

When the present Governor of Ogun State was canvassing for votes in January 2019, he visited the border towns including Akute, Ajuwon, Ijoko and Agbado. Then, he promised the residents that he would put an end to the infrastructural decay in the areas.- a promise he is yet to fulfil. 

This is a year into Dapo Abiodun’s administration, and the residents of Ifo local government are still waiting for him to fulfil his promises as there is barely any motorable road from Ajuwon-Akute road to Akute-Olambe road, Olambe-Agbado road, Agbado-Ijoko, Akute Alagbole down to the link bridge. 

However, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya told Eons Intelligence that the Government is “working on the reconstruction of some of the key roads in the area. Like Ojodu Abiodun-Denro- Ishasi -Akute, Oke Aro Lambe Matogun, Sango Ota - Yakoyo- Alagbole- Akute.”

Akinsanya promised to announce the date work would begin on these areas. But until then, the residents are stuck with terrible roads while remaining hopeful that the Government would keep to its promise and fast track plans to begin its repair.

The roads in Olambe|Akute|Ajuwon|Alagbole are in dire need of repairs. @OGSG_Official @dabiodunMFR pic.twitter.com/mCd4gSt94B

— Eons Intelligence (@eonsintelligenc) June 30, 2020