Oyo: Lamentations as pedestrians face tough time on Olodo Road

Commuters plying the Iwo-Ibadan Road are currently passing through a difficult time, TrackNews Media reports.

A visit confirmed that road users, especially pedestrians, are finding it difficult to either go out or move into their respective houses.

TrackNews Media recalls that the hardship along the Iwo-Ibadan Road, especially in Olodo area, started in July 2023 after flood washed away the bridge on Egberi River.

The bridge links Ibadan in Oyo State with Iwo in Osun State.

Checks by our correspondent revealed that the state government has commenced re-construction of a new bridge on Egberi River.

However, a pedestrian bridge, which was also constructed beside the new bridge, has been washed away.

During the visit, many of the aged were seen being assisted by good Samaritans to cross the river.

Children and some persons with disabilities were also seen spending more time before they could cross the river.

READ ALSO: Military airstrikes destroy illegal refining sites in Rivers

An 80-year-old grandmother, who came to visit a relative in Olodo, said that she was not aware of the stress involved in accessing the road.

She appealed to the state government and the contractor handing the new bridge to hasten the work.

“I cannot tell my children what I passed through here. I came to visit somebody here.

“I appeal to the Oyo State government to construct the new bridge quickly,” she said.

A civil servant, who lived in Olodo reacting says, residents have been experiencing difficulty in accessing the road.

He said, “We have been experiencing difficulty in passing through the road.

“The river is now the main alternative road for pedestrians. If you cannot pass here, then you will go to Jelato and pass through the alternative road.

“People always experience traffic on the alternative road, that is why they are making use of this pedestrian bridge and it has collapsed. The next thing is to pass through the river but it is not easy.

“We want the state government to construct the new bridge on time. We have been waiting for them to complete it.”

We are working hard to ensure completion of the new bridge- Makinde’s spokesman, Olanrewaju

Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, when contacted, said that the state government was working assiduously to ensure the completion of the new bridge.

READ ALSO: EFCC: Why we arrested 21 food trucks

Olanrewaju told TrackNews Media that the state government understands the pains of the people which necessitated the opening of alternative routes.

He assured that the bridge would soon be completed by the contractor.

Olanrewaju said, “The Oyo State government understands the pains of the people.

“When the bridge collapsed, the state government opened alternative routes so as to reduce the pains.

“Alternative routes were opened to cushion the effect on the people.

“We are assuring the residents that the new bridge will soon be opened.

“We want the contractor to do a quality job that will last for many years.”