Residents of Obanako communities in Oyo township have appealed to the State government over the expiration of the first quarter deadline for the completion of the abandoned Obanako bridge, which sparked widespread outcry from affected communities.
According to the information made available to Heritage Echo News, the bridge, which connects the Cele community to Gold’n’Rock as well as over 20 other communities, has been left abandoned for months, causing significant hardship for local businesses, residents, and commuters.
While speaking with our correspondence, one of the community members, Hon. Dauda Temitope stated that the Chairman of Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Hon. Busoye Ogunlade, and Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman, Member of Oyo State House of Assembly (OYHA), had promised to complete the project by the first quarter of 2025. However, with the deadline now expired, the communities are demanding answers.
The statement read in parts;
March 27, 2025
Hon. Busoye Ogunlade
Chairman, OYSTROMA
Hon. Olorunpoto Rahman
Member, OYHA
Representing OYO East and Oyo West State Constituency,
Urgent: Completion of Obanako Bridge
Dear Honorable Chairman and Honorable Member,
“I am writing to follow up on my letter last year regarding the abandoned Obanako bridge, which connects the Cele community to GoldnRock and over 20 other communities. As you may recall, you promised to complete the project by the first quarter of 2025.
Today, March 27, 2025, marks the end of the first quarter, and unfortunately, the bridge remains abandoned.
The consequences of this abandonment are severe: hundreds of businesses have been crippled, and many people have been subjected to untold hardship.
As stakeholders in the development of Oyo State, we urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.
We request that you provide us with a clear timeline for the completion of the bridge and ensure that the necessary resources are allocated to facilitate its completion.
In light of the lack of progress, we are compelled to call on His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene in this matter.
We believe that his leadership is crucial in resolving this issue and restoring the livelihoods of our people.
We look forward to hearing from you soon and learning about the concrete steps you will take to address this pressing issue.
Yours sincerely,
Dauda Temitope Wahab
Prof T
Cele-Obanako Community.
The communities are now calling on His Excellency, Engr ‘Seyi Makinde to intervene in the matter and ensure the completion of the bridge.
As the affected communities continue to suffer, they remain hopeful that the authorities will take immediate action to complete the project and restore their livelihoods.
