Osun residents protest shoddy road project, demand government action

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Residents of Aduramigba community in Ido-Osun, Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, on Friday staged a protest over the poor construction of a 4.76km road linking six communities.

The road, a joint project between the World Bank and the Osun State Government, was reportedly constructed without drainage and a stone base. According to protesters, a section of the newly tarred road was washed away by rainfall on Thursday, just days after it was surfaced.

The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “We say no to no drainage and stonebase road,” “We need quality road in Aduramigba,” and “We kick against corruption on this project.”

Speaking to journalists, the community chairman, Mr. Sunday Ogundele, expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor and consultant handling the project, noting that asphalt was being laid directly on clay soil without proper foundation.

“The quality of this road is so poor. They started tarring it on Sunday and Monday, and by Thursday, the rain had already washed away parts of it,” he said.

Ogundele revealed that the community had earlier petitioned Governor Ademola Adeleke over concerns about the project’s quality. Following the protest, the Governor visited the site in March and promised that drainage and a stone base would be included—yet the contractor allegedly failed to comply.

“We appeal to Governor Adeleke to come and inspect this road. It is strategic, linking over six communities including Igi-Gogoro, Unity Estate, Okini, Ifon, Ilobu, Erin, and others. I’m sure they wouldn’t build such a road in the Governor’s hometown,” Ogundele added.