For the past two weeks, commuters and motorists along the vital Oyo,Ogbomoso,Ilorin Federal Road have faced immense hardship as the road has been rendered nearly impassable due to its collapsed state. This critical route, connecting the Southwest to Northern Nigeria, has seen a standstill in traffic, with long queues of petrol tankers and heavy duty vehicles stuck in the gridlock, sparking fears of potential accidents, including fire outbreaks due to the fuel laden vehicles.
The situation has forced many to seek alternative routes, further worsening traffic on nearby roads and damaging those roads in the process. The impact on commuters, transporters, and businesses has been severe, causing delays, financial losses, and heightened risks for those forced to traverse the dangerous road conditions.
One of the most alarming consequences of the road's deplorable condition has been the tragic loss of lives, including the death of five traditional rulers in 2023, who were traveling to attend a meeting in Ogbomoso. The unsafe state of the road has long been a source of concern for residents and authorities alike, but the problem has persisted, as the road has been under reconstruction by the Federal Government since 2001.
In response to the mounting crisis, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has taken the initiative, alongside other local stakeholders, to temporarily address the problem. The monarch, in a personal statement, assured the community that efforts are underway to rehabilitate the most affected portion of the road near Ogbomoso.
Rehabilitation work commenced on Friday, October 18, 2024, starting from the Katika area and extending to the Baptist Seminary in Ogbomoso. A foreign construction firm has been contracted to handle the repairs, offering hope for some relief. Oba Laoye acknowledged the suffering endured by commuters and businesses due to the state of the road and praised the patience and perseverance of the people.
In his statement, titled Our Efforts on Ogbomoso Trunk A Road About to Yield Result, the monarch emphasized the critical economic role of the road not just for Nigeria but for the West African sub
region as a whole. He expressed deep concern over the loss of lives and the economic stagnation caused by the road’s condition.
Oba Laoye noted that while the community awaits government intervention, contingency plans are being implemented to alleviate the suffering and restore some level of traffic flow. He called on residents and commuters to cooperate with the rehabilitation efforts, stressing the importance of collective action in addressing the challenges.
This community led rehabilitation is a temporary measure, but it represents a significant step forward in tackling the long standing problem. The Soun expressed gratitude to all who have contributed to the effort, either by drawing attention to the issue or by providing resources for the project. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the free flow of traffic in Ogbomosoland and restoring the road to a usable state.
As work continues, the hope is that these temporary efforts will mitigate the chaos and prevent further loss of life while urging the government to expedite the completion of the long-delayed road reconstruction project. The call for more sustainable and long term solutions is clear, but for now, the community is doing what it can to ease the burden on its people.