Ogun Residents March for Help as 10.5km Road Becomes Nearly Impassable

(Ogun Map. Photo by TVC News)

Residents from more than 40 communities along the Ijoko-Oyero-Lisa corridor in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State conducted a peaceful march on Saturday, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to facilitate reconstruction of the deteriorated 10.5-kilometre road serving their communities and providing access to the Lisa Memorial Arcade.

Participants from Oyero, Arugudu, Oluke, Okungbolu, Sonde, Lisa, Ademokunla, Olayemi, Alagba, Ayegbe, Alapandi, Onireke, Megi, Awure, Lajegun and surrounding localities carried placards as they traversed the route for several hours, their messages appealing to the President and other government tiers for intervention.

Inscriptions included requests for road reconstruction, appeals for development access, and calls for assistance in reviving the memorial arcade.

Organisers emphasised the exercise represented a peaceful appeal rather than protest action, intended to highlight the hardship afflicting communities along the corridor.

The road's deteriorated condition has raised transportation expenses, constrained commercial operations and imposed additional strain on residents whose routine activities necessitate movement through the communities.

The corridor, constructed by Ogun State Government following the October 2005 Bellview Airlines crash that claimed 117 lives, has deteriorated significantly since its initial development.

Residents noted the road's condition has worsened progressively, with certain sections becoming particularly treacherous during rainfall periods.

Community spokespersons stressed that more than 30,000 residents inhabit the axis, representing a substantial electoral population.

Many have migrated from neighbouring Lagos State over years to establish homes, businesses and settlements, making infrastructure provision increasingly critical.

They argued the road's economic importance would expand substantially through proper reconstruction and connection via Olayemi toward the Mowe-Ibafo section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, potentially transforming it from a community access route into a strategic economic corridor facilitating movement, commerce and investment across the region.

Residents also highlighted the Lisa Memorial Arcade's national significance, noting improved access and rehabilitation would enhance its ability to attract visitors and appropriately commemorate the airline disaster victims.

The Onilisa of Lisa Kingdom expressed satisfaction that communities opted for peaceful engagement whilst appealing for road intervention.

He urged the state government to prioritise rehabilitation, emphasising that enhanced access would stimulate economic activity and improve quality of life whilst preserving the national memorial site.

Community leaders stressed they approached government cooperatively rather than confrontationally, acknowledging that authorities balance multiple development demands whilst appealing not to overlook communities whose economic and social capacities remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure.

The residents expressed optimism regarding the Federal Government's infrastructure commitments and sought recognition of the corridor as a strategic development project warranting collaborative solutions from federal and state authorities.