Yemi Olakitan
Residents of the Orisunmibare/Ita Faaji axis in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State are pleading with Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently intervene in what they describe as years of abandonment and hardship caused by a deplorable, untarred community road.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday, where community leaders painted a grim picture of the daily struggles faced by residents — a situation made worse by persistent rainfall.
Ganiyu Are, Chairman of the Otu Alaafia Estate Landlords’ Association, spoke on behalf of the aggrieved residents, lamenting that the only road linking their communities to the Wire and Cable end of the Apata-Abeokuta Road had become impassable after six consecutive days of rainfall.
“We have never had this road tarred, not once in the history of this local government,” “The last grading was about five years ago, and since then, erosion has washed away every layer of sand. We suffer year in, year out — from damaged vehicles to residents being stranded in their homes.”
He noted that there is renewed hope among residents following reports that the road has been included in the state’s 2025 budget. He called on the governor to follow through on the promise.
Yomi Olaniyi, Chairman of the Gbogun Community Landlords’ Association, echoed the plea, commending Governor Makinde’s record on infrastructure but urging him to bring that same energy to their long-neglected area.
“Your Excellency, you have proven to be a ‘talk-and-do’ leader. We believe in your commitment, but we are asking you to extend your good works to us,” Olaniyi said. “This road has never received any real attention from past administrations. Please don’t let the story remain the same.”
For Olusola Awe, Chairman of the Orisunmibare Central Community Association — an umbrella body for 22 communities — the appeal was both emotional and historic.
“If this road gets constructed, you will have done what none of your predecessors managed to do,” Awe stated. “Engineers have already visited the site. We just need you to take the next step. This is about more than a road — it’s about dignity, access, and being seen.”
The communities say they have suffered economic losses, health risks, and social isolation due to the state of the road. The rainy season, they warn, will only worsen their ordeal unless immediate action is taken.
As the governor prepares to implement the 2025 budget, the people of Orisunmibare, Ita Faaji, Oganla, and Opopin are hoping their voices have finally been heard — and that relief is not just on paper, but on the ground.
“Save us from this agony,” they said, “not just for today — but for the generations coming after us.”