By BABATUNDE MORONKEJI
In recent times, the worsening condition of road infrastructure across several communities in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State has reached an alarming and unacceptable level.
What should serve as vital links for movement, trade, and daily life have instead become dangerous pathways marked by neglect, decay, and growing frustration among residents.
This was the outcry of Ratcon Road residents on the dire state of roads affecting the Ife Gbewasokan communities—spanning Opa, Apadaba, Fawẹ, Aba Aboke, Akinosun, Ori Dagogo, Lannisa, Alawọ, Ojo Ẹkun, Oluwo andAlọbẹ among others in over 57 villages within the same network.
From damaged vehicles to delayed emergency responses, the impact is both widespread and deeply troubling on the residents who continously lament about the situation.
While speaking in an interview with SplashFM Correspondent, the Chairman of the Community, Mr Yusuf Olabode, disclosed that residents have made several efforts to make the road motorable and appeals have also been made to the Oluyole LG with no significant result.
The traditional head of Odo-Okun village and its environment, under Ife Gbewasokan community, Chief Isiaka Ajibola, highlighted efforts made by the residents, including the purchase of gravel and stones to fill failed portions of the road.
Immediate former chairman of Zone J Community, Mr Femi Adeyemo, who appealed to the government for timely intervention, also revealed that personal and collective efforts have failed to address the recurring challenges being gaced on the bad roads within the communities.
Chairman of Tricycle Operators in the community, popularly known as ‘Keke Marwa’, Mr. Felix Babatunde, said the road’s poor condition has made their business unprofitable due to frequent damage to their tricycles, noting that the roads lead to the Circular Road, currently the most popular project embarked on by the Oyo State Government.
Similarly, Mr. Hammed Oladokun, Chairman of the Motorcycle Riders Association in the community, popularly known as ‘Okada’, said the poor condition of the road has led to numerous accidents, leaving some riders and passengers with serious injuries.
Another ‘Okada’ rider also lamented the state of the roads, attributing it to incessant damages and repairs of their motocycles.
The people of Ife Gbewasokan communities are not asking for luxury—they are asking for access, safety, and dignity as their stories form a collective plea to the government of Oyo State: to see, to hear, and to act—before these roads claim more livelihoods and, potentially, more lives.
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