Three years later, Dapo Abiodun yet to redeem Mowe-Ofada Road pledge
Residents of communities within the Mowe and Ofada axis of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State have protested the abandoned condition of the Mowe-Ofada Road.
Speaking with Western Post, residents said the trunk B road, which connects at least 15 communities to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has remained in a deplorable state for more than a decade. According to them, the 8-kilometre road ought to serve as a major driver of development because of Mowe’s proximity to Lagos and the RCCG Redemption City.
Residents also recalled that the Dapo Abiodun administration promised to rehabilitate the road during the governor’s campaign for a second term in 2023. However, they claimed that little had been done to fulfil the pledge.
Taiyelolu Badmus, a Community Development Association chairman in one of the affected communities, criticised the condition of the road, describing it as a long-standing challenge for residents and commuters. He said the situation had persisted since he relocated from Ibadan to Mowe seven years ago.
“I had just moved in when the road was muddy. Then Dapo Abiodun came and made several promises. Initially, we saw some Asian workers with heavy equipment and thought a solution had arrived. Unfortunately, they only fixed one lane and disappeared. Whenever it rains, some areas become almost impassable, especially around the Tipper Garage axis and TVS Junction. Many residents are forced to leave their vehicles at home and endure increased transport fares. The government should come to our aid,” he said.
A business owner, Bisola Babatunde, also lamented the effect of the bad road on commercial activities, noting that traders located along the untarred section struggle to attract customers compared to those operating on the completed lane.
She said, “We on the rough part of the road find it difficult to get customers because vehicles mostly use the tarred side. There is only so much a signboard can do. It is easier for people to stop on the other side and enter shops there. Only loyal customers and referrals patronise me. The government should help fix the remaining part of the road so everyone can compete fairly. Initially, rents on this side were cheaper, but landlords have now increased them, so there is no real advantage anymore.”
Efforts to reach the office of the Commissioner for Works for comments were unsuccessful. However, Western Post obtained a public statement made by Governor Dapo Abiodun on September 12, 2023, in which he pledged to complete the 8-kilometre Mowe-Ofada Road.
“Today, I am here to personally assess the progress of work on the Mowe-Ofada Road. I have assured the people that this road will be properly completed, not merely with a binder course that wears out quickly, but with both a binder and wearing course. I remain committed to the equitable distribution of infrastructure across our 20 local government areas,” the governor said.
Regardless of the foregoing issues, the governor may still have surprises in store as his tenure runs till May 29, 2027.
