Citizen Vigilance Report: The Deplorable Conditions of Ota Roads

The rainy season is not a good time for residents, drivers and commuters in Sango Ota, Ogun state. Several roads are now impassable and many are riddled with large potholes following persistent flooding engendered by poor drainage.

The industrial town has been left in utterly despairing conditions over the years with several lies and failed promises by the government. This indicates a failed government that disregards a community that constitutes one of its major industrial hubs. From Tollgate to Dalemo, Sango to Ijoko, Joju, and many other parts, including Oju-Ore and Atan, Ado Odo Ota, Local Government residents have continued to linger on deplorable and famished road infrastructure. 

This situation has caused many underreported sufferings, including major accidents of containers tumbling and crushing vehicles and their commuters. Increasing road traffic, high cost of vehicle maintenance and hike in transport fares are the prices the people have been made to pay due to failed governance. 

“This road has continued to be an embarrassment, not just to us in Ogun State, but to the entire country.” These were the words of Ogun State governor Dapo Abiodun on the road condition during his visit to Ota for the Local Government Election Campaign in 2021. However, the statement, nonetheless being a fact, was only said to cajole Ota residents for votes as nothing was done after the visit.

The governor also said last year that his government was shopping for about N13 billion to fix the Ota roads and execute housing projects in Ota, Ilaro and Ijebu. In addition, during the repair of some sections of the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway last year, the minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, enthused that the federal government had approved the repair of other parts of the road. However, the two tiers of government in Oke Mosan and Aso Rock Villa didn’t go beyond the audio promise.

Given the horrible experience of motorists, passengers and other users of these dilapidated roads,  the federal and state governments should do better than give audio and weak promises and show commitment to rehabilitating these major roads. The people are tired of sweet talks and weak promises; all they want to see are black gravel,  asphalt pavement and bitumen all being put together to give them a good road network.