AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Residents and community leaders of Orisunmibare/Ita Faaji in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State have renewed their appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently rehabilitate the only access road linking their community, which has become increasingly impassable due to recent heavy rainfall.
The road, which connects the area to the Wire and Cable section of the Apata-Abeokuta Road, serves over 22 communities including Oganla, Alada, and Opopin. The area falls within the Ido/Ibarapa Federal Constituency and Oyo South Senatorial District.
During an interaction with journalists on Friday, the community leaders lamented that the deteriorating condition of the road—especially during the rainy season—has isolated residents and crippled economic activities.
They also reminded Governor Makinde of his campaign promises ahead of the 2019 general elections and expressed cautious optimism following reports that the road has been captured in the Oyo State 2025 budget.
Alhaji Ganiyu Are, Chairman of the Otu Alaafia Estate Landlords’ Association, made a heartfelt appeal on behalf of the residents.
“We plead with His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, to come to our rescue. This road has never been tarred in the history of Ido Local Government. For years, we only had periodic grading, which ended over five years ago. Continuous rainfall has since eroded the road, leaving it in a terrible state,” he said.
Are described the situation as one of “neglect, abandonment and prolonged suffering,” made worse by the lack of attention from past administrations.
“We were relieved to hear that the road has been included in the 2025 state budget. Your Excellency, we are already halfway through the year. Please fulfill your promise and let us experience the dividends of democracy,” he added.
Mr. Yomi Olaniyi, Chairman of the Gbogun Community Landlords’ Association, also appealed to Governor Makinde, describing him as a leader known for keeping his word.
“Your record in road construction across Ibadan and the state in the past six years is commendable. We understand the challenges of governance, especially with limited resources, but we believe this is a defining opportunity to bring lasting change to our community,” he said.
Olaniyi noted that previous efforts to engage past governments on the issue had yielded no results, further underscoring the urgency for intervention under the current administration.
Similarly, Mr. Olusola Awe, Chairman of the Orisunmibare Central Community Association—the umbrella body for all 22 communities—urged the governor to take decisive action.
“Your Excellency, officials from the state Ministry of Works have visited our community for assessment. We appeal to you to take the next step and do what no administration before yours has done—fix this road once and for all,” Awe said.
He added that completing the road would be a historic milestone and a lasting legacy of the Makinde-led administration.
“Your name will be written in gold in the hearts of residents if you grant us this long-awaited relief. We shall remain eternally grateful,” he concluded.
