Ogun transporters decry deplorable roads, call for immediate repairs

Ogun transporters decry deplorable roads, call for immediate repairs

Transporters using the Mowe–Ofada road in Ogun State have raised concerns over its deplorable state, appealing for urgent government intervention.

They lamented that the poor condition of the road continues to damage their vehicles, particularly during the rainy season.

A visit to the area on Thursday revealed heavy traffic congestion, as motorists struggled to navigate the dilapidated sections.

Correspondents also observed that several inner streets in the community were in worse shape, having become entirely impassable.

A tricycle operator, simply identified as Johnson, said the road had made the transport business risky and costly.

He said, “From here to the bus stop is still okay, but inside the streets is catastrophic. It usually spoils many things in our tricycle, but the road is the real issue. During the rainy season, a tricycle can’t even enter the streets. Only bikes go inside, and the fares are always double or triple the normal price. Those who cannot afford it will either trek or stay back.

“This road has really caused so much havoc and collisions. If the government can rehabilitate the other road, it will be safer to ply because the one we are currently using is just a one-way. I used to be a transporter in Lagos, and I worked till late at night, but since I came here, I stopped working by 6 pm because it’s always worse at night,” he said.

Another driver, Idowu Folarin, said flooding on the road usually made movement impossible.

“The road has been a great challenge faced by motorists. During the rainy season, plying it always causes great havoc to our tricycles.

When water enters where it isn’t supposed to, like the engine, it damages the parts. There’s a particular road at Graceland that is always flooded, and it usually makes it impossible for us to get to Mowe,” he said.

A motorcyclist, Henry Okoro, said he had spent a lot of money fixing his bike because of the road.

“The road has really affected my bike. Only this year, when I calculated the money I’ve spent on repairing some parts of my motorcycle, it was over N100,000. We are just managing the road because we have no choice. During the rainy season, the prices of the fare are always expensive because of the bad roads,” he said.

Another rider, who gave his name only as Kazeem, said the road only has two lanes, adding that it often causes accidents.

He said, “The road is really affecting us. Even this way, it still looks better, but when it rains, it is impossible to ply. Even our motorcycles always get faulty. The road is like a face me, I face you, which always causes so many accidents between vehicles. We would be very happy if the government can help us repair it.”

A bus driver, Ebenezer Ogundipe, who said he had been in the transport business for over 10 years, explained how repairs had drained his pocket.

He noted that the lack of a proper garage in the area has further worsened the situation.

“The bad road really affects our buses. It’s been very difficult having to repair them constantly. If the road were in good condition, transportation would be easier and faster,” he said.

According to him, the absence of a designated garage forces them to park by the roadside, making the already narrow, one-way road more congested. “The little money we earn, which should go into feeding, ends up being spent on repairs. The government should please help us address this issue,” he pleaded.

Another driver, Oke, added, “Food is expensive, and the road is bad. The little we make goes back into fixing our buses. The government should please help us.”

When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said rehabilitation of roads in the area was already ongoing.

“The roads are under construction. We are also working on Adesan Road in Mowe, which is 90 per cent completed,” he stated.

Complaints about failed roads in parts of Ogun State have become frequent in recent times, as residents continue to call for urgent government intervention.

Earlier this month, it was reported that more than four months after the state government promised to repair the Loburo Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, the road remains in terrible condition, causing untold hardship for motorists.