Akute community, under Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State, is a sad sight to behold during the rainy season. At about 9 am on Thursday, FIJ reporter Abimbola Abatta visited the community.

For residents of Akute in Ogun State, their demand is simple: good roads. Residents have lost count of the number of times they have “begged” the state government to help fix their road which is dusty during the dry season and soggy during the rainy season. For years, they have had to contend with a terrible road network while going about their daily activities.

Some of the residents, who spoke with FIJ, expressed their displeasure with their community’s deplorable road networks, which had been that way even before Dapo Abiodun, the incumbent governor, assumed office in 2019.

“Quality roads delight citizens and nothing will make us happier if the roads are fixed because our suffering would reduce,” Princess, a beautician residing in Akute, revealed.

Despite Abiodun’s recent decision to approve the reconstruction of Sango-Ijoko-Agbado-Akute-Alagbole road networks, with a promise to complete them by December, the residents are still not convinced the projects will have been concluded by then.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR TOO MUCH

“Sometimes, due to the impact of the flood coupled with the unsmooth road, motorcycle riders lose their grip during rides and they and their passengers fall inside dirty water. It’s quite bad.”

Those were the words of a visibly frustrated resident who simply introduced herself as Ebun while speaking with FIJ.

Ebun said she would not be surprised if the current road project exceeded the December deadline because the government was fond of “starting and not completing projects”.

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“The thing about Ogun State is that they are slow. And when they start a project, they don’t finish it. They come with promises but nothing to show going forward. We are praying that they complete the project next year or in the coming years because it’s just their normal behaviour to start and never finish projects,” Ebun said.

As this reporter moved round the community, it was clear Akute had suffered a great deal of underdevelopment due to years of neglect and failed promises from successive state governments.

“The rainy season is much more unbearable. Water fills the road, there is flood everywhere, and it has become a norm to endure the difficulties until the season ends,” Ebun said while further narrating the ordeal of residents.

“We, the residents, are not asking for a lot. This bridge at Akute Bus Stop has been there since forever, but as you can see, it is an incomplete project. We just want what will make our daily activities easier.”

UNFULFILLED PROMISES

Lost in thoughts, perhaps mulling over potential passengers whose patronage guarantees his daily bread, Wole Tunji Hussein sat on his motorcycle. Upon hearing the word ‘journalist’, he was eager to speak, with the hope that the government would give ears to his pleas.

Hussein told FIJ that the daily experiences of road users in Akute were not pleasant. He added that the government often ended up disappointing residents by reneging on its promises after getting votes.

He said that Akute seemed only worthy of the government’s attention during election periods.

“As soon as residents are encouraged with ‘tall’ vows to move mountains, they cast their votes for the politicians. In the end, their hopes are dashed,” Hussain said.

“The suffering is too much, to be honest. Should we even start from the body pain we have been enduring due to the rough roads? It is bad. Since 2013, the state government has left us to our fate. We have complained and complained. They poured gravel on the road under the guise of making it a bit better, but the stones can damage people’s tyres. They can even injure one’s feet.

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“What of the gutter? We don’t even have a proper drainage system. We only see them during the election period. They will come canvassing for our votes with big promises. At the end of the day, they will not show their faces again. That’s what they always do.”

An orange seller, who asked not to be named, said the state government knew what to do to bring succour to its people but would never do it because of selfish interests.

She also said the poor condition of the roads was also sometimes responsible for the hike in transportation fare around Akute.

“The government knows what to do. They know the right thing, but they don’t want to do it for us. See how bad the road is right from Sango. And because of the bad road, there is an increase in the cost of transportation. Some places that used to be N100 are now N150. Lambe that used to be N200 is now N400. It’s only God that can help us,” she said.

WE PAY TAXES, YET…

“As responsible citizens, we pay our taxes. The government should have done this road a long time ago because we pay our taxes regularly. If we, as residents, are doing what we ought to do, shouldn’t the government make life bearable for us?” Omoola, an okada rider, asked FIJ.

Omoola further said that Dapo Abiodun’s government had not done anything tangible for Akute residents since 2019.

“A good road guarantees a long life. I implore the government to keep to its promise,” Omoola said.

“We pay N1,000 for tickets and it is the government that is collecting the money. We pay many other fees, which are going into the government’s pocket. If the road is good, long life is certain. See, we are not saying they should give us money for politics. They should repair the roads. That is our plea.”

Like Omoola, Samuel, another okada rider, clamoured for a good road network.

“It is the responsibility of the government to its citizens,” he said.

“Let’s not deceive ourselves. This road is really affecting us, especially motorcycles, and many of the vehicle parts that are being sold today are no longer durable. I stay in Abule, but because of the road, I cannot go home during the week. I work here but go to Abule by the weekend. The stress is just too much. Alapara is even worse.

“The bad road causes traffic congestion too, and despite the fact that some people who claim to be working for the government tax us everyday, the government has not provided good roads for us. We buy tickets at the rate of N1,000 every day. What is the government using the money to do? There are still other taxes we pay which go directly into the government’s pocket.

“We were chased out of Lagos, and here, we are battling with bad roads. During election periods, we will all go out to vote for them, but in the end, they fail to fulfil their promises. The government should please help us fix the road on time. They should deliver on their promises.

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“What connects us are these roads. We are not asking them to give us money. All we want are good roads in Akute. They promised to fix one lane some months ago, but we have not really seen anything.”

CONTRASTING RESPONSE FROM THE STATE GOVERNMENT

Adesanya Odunayo, the Project Manager of Visible Construction, the company in charge of Akute/Denro-Isashi road project, told FIJ that the December deadline was not feasible due to this year’s heavy rainfalls.

“It is rainy season now, and we cannot bring materials to the place. We have finished our earth work, but we cannot bring the needed materials like asphalt because rain is not supposed to touch them as they won’t easily spread. Also, they will melt and mess up the road. Rain and flooding are the two factors drawing us back,” he said.

When FIJ contacted Ade Akinsanya, the Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, for comments on the issue, he said, “As stated, the roads will be ready by December. That is the governor’s commitment.”