Oyo Lawmakers Appeal for Inclusion in Ogbomoso Road Projects

Hon. Abideen Adeoye Ogundare and Hon. Johnson Akintola Ogundele, representing Ogooluwa-Surulere and Oriire State Constituencies, respectively, have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to include their constituencies in the ongoing inner roads rehabilitation projects in Ogbomoso zone.

The appeal was made in a motion titled “Inclusion of Ogo-Oluwa, Surulere, and Oriire Local Government Areas in the Ongoing Inner Roads Rehabilitation Projects in Ogbomoso Zone,” moved by Hon. Ogundare (Ogooluwa/Surulere) and co-sponsored by Hon. Ogundele (Oriire) during a Thursday plenary session.

Recall that the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, FNSE, has embarked on massive road rehabilitation and reconstruction projects across the State, including the ongoing rehabilitation of inner roads in Ogbomoso township, which is aimed at easing traffic flow and improving the living conditions of residents.

While presenting the motion, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of good roads in facilitating economic productivity, improving access to markets, healthcare, and education, and reducing travel time.

They noted that while major parts of Ogbomoso North and Ogbomoso South Local Government Areas have benefited from the road rehabilitation projects, Ogooluwa, Surulere, and Oriire Local Governments have been left out despite their close socio-economic ties with Ogbomoso.

The lawmakers highlighted the deplorable condition of roads in their constituencies, which has affected the movement of agricultural produce, access to markets, and emergency services.

According to them, Ajaawa-Lagbedu-Idewire, Odooba-Ayede-Alagbon-Osupa roads in OgoOluva Local Government, Ogbomoso-Oko- Ilajae-Ifon, Iresaadu-Iwofin-Gambari corridor, Arol, Oko-Asangbomole- Iresaapa Surulere Local Government, and Elere pamo-Egbejoda-Afejewe, Gambari-Ajinapa-Tewure, Ipeba-Ahoro dada-Ikoyi roads in Orire Local Government have deteriorated due to prolonged neglect and heavy vehicular use, causing severe hardship to residents and commuters.

They maintained that the poor condition of these roads has continued to affect the movement of agricultural produce, access to markets, and emergency services resulting in significant losses for farmers, traders, and transporters, especially during the rainy season when the roads become nearly impassable.

They added that excluding OgoOluwa, Surulere, and Orre Local Government Areas from the ongoing inner roads rehabilitation projects could create a sense of marginalization among residents who have contributed significantly to the economic growth of Oyo State and are great supporter of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration.

The House of Assembly, led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, however appealed to Governor Makinde to direct the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) and the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to extend the road rehabilitation projects to Ogooluwa, Surulere, and Oriire Local Government Areas.

The House also urged OYSROMA to conduct a needs assessment and technical evaluation of key roads in these areas for prioritization under the next phase of road interventions.