Residents and leaders of 15 communities along the Idi-Igba–Gbadegesin Estate–Akinmoorin Road corridor in Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State have appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to urgently mobilise the contractor handling the approved road project to the site.
The communities, which described the road as a major economic and social lifeline linking several settlements, said the prolonged deterioration of the route has continued to expose residents, motorists, schoolchildren, pregnant women and other vulnerable road users to serious hardship and danger.
The appeal followed the approval of the construction of the approximately four-kilometre Idi-Igba–Akinmoorin Road by the Oyo State Government at an Executive Council meeting held on July 17, 2026. The project, valued at ₦2,900,715,000, was approved for execution by the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), with the expectation that the intervention would improve connectivity and stimulate socio-economic development across the benefiting communities.
Speaking on behalf of the communities, Prince Gbadegesin appealed to Governor Makinde to facilitate the release of the necessary mobilisation funds to enable the contractor to commence work without further delay.
He described the road as a critical link connecting Idi-Igba, Gbadegesin Estate, Iware, Akinmoorin and other surrounding communities, including routes leading towards Awe township, but lamented that its current condition has made movement increasingly difficult.
According to him, residents have continued to face serious challenges in accessing schools, healthcare facilities, markets and other essential services, particularly during the rainy season when large portions of the road become flooded and nearly impassable.
“Our people are suffering as a result of the terrible condition of this road. Our children, pregnant women, the elderly and other residents face enormous difficulties whenever there is an emergency, especially when urgent medical attention is required,” he said.
Prince Gbadegesin recalled a recent incident in which flooding on the road reportedly caused serious damage to a resident’s vehicle, further highlighting what he described as the urgent need for government intervention.
The residents, who came out in large numbers to express their concerns, nevertheless commended Governor Makinde for approving the road project, describing the approval as a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and improved living conditions in rural and semi-urban communities.
They, however, appealed to the state government to ensure that the approval is swiftly followed by the mobilisation of the contractor and the commencement of physical construction work.
The communities maintained that the rehabilitation and construction of the road would not only ease transportation challenges but would also improve access to education, healthcare and commercial opportunities, while strengthening connectivity among communities within Afijio Local Government Area.
The residents further expressed confidence in Governor Makinde’s administration, describing him as a leader committed to fulfilling promises and advancing development through strategic investments in infrastructure and other critical sectors.
While praying for the continued success of the governor’s administration, the communities urged him to give urgent attention to the mobilisation process, stressing that the immediate commencement of work on the Idi-Igba–Gbadegesin Estate–Akinmoorin Road would bring significant relief to thousands of residents and road users across the affected communities.
The residents therefore appealed to the governor to translate the approval of the project into immediate action by ensuring the prompt mobilisation of the contractor to the site, saying the long-awaited road project remains crucial to the safety, economic growth and overall development of the 15 benefiting communities.
