OGBOMOSO: FG begins construction of Osuru - Arowomole road as Oyo govt begins road patching

OGBOMOSO: FG begins construction of Osuru – Arowomole road as Oyo govt begins road patching

Khalid ABRAHAM

The Federal Government has begun the reconstruction of a major road in Ogbomoso Oyo state, the Osuru – Arowomole road, stretching about three kilometres.

The road which is in total collapse, and which meanders via Ogbomoso South local government secretariat, Kajola market, Divisional Police headquarters Sunsun, Ogbomoso Baptist High School, Laogun Adeoye Memorial High School, Maryland Grammar School, St. Ferdinand Grammar School, and other important places will also have three bridges and drainage fixed. It is said to be facilitated by a patriotic son of the city, who had undertaken similar roles in the past.

When ogbomosoinsightonline.com passed the site Thursday workmen were busy and the work was progressing at an impressive rate. Some of the workers confirmed it’s being executed by the Federal Government as no signage board was erected at either end of the project extent.

Meanwhile, some damaged portions of the same road were seen to be neatly cut indicating plan to patch the ubiquitous pot holes. When investigations were made, it was revealed the patching “project” is the rehabilitation plan of the state government regarding the dilapidated road.

Recall the Oyo state government has assured that, after billions of naira had been committed to road constructions and rehabilitations in Ibadan, Ogbomoso would be the “next” in the face of plague of road collapse in the metropolis and other towns in the zone.

People who spoke with Ogbomoso Insight on the development unanimously rejected the idea of road patching in the city fuming “the roads were constructed years ago and since the present administration came on board the roads have not seen rehabilitation thus the damages are extensive. And so only an overlay with asphalt is the minimum that they need.”

A resident Mr. Kehinde Agbotifa added, “We are disappointed if road patching is all that is being packaged for Ogbomoso when humongous resources had been committed in Ibadan over the years. We deserve more than this. Other zones deserve better than this.”

Another commentator who pleaded anonymity noted, “This was not so during the tenure of late Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala. He ensured projects like road infrastructure were well spread across zones in the state, not a sectional thing.”

He urged Governor Seyi Makinde to “reconsider and to let the people of Ogbomoso also enjoy dividends of governance real good.”

It is however hoped road patching is not what is meant for the city.