Ogun Communities Protest Collapsing Bridge, Appeal To Abiodun For Urgent Intervention

Residents of Sodeke-Titun Ilupeju, Oke Odo, and 22 other communities in the Sabo area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State have called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene over the deteriorating condition of a bridge linking their communities to the Lafenwa-Sabo axis.

The residents made the appeal on Wednesday during a peaceful protest staged to draw attention to the deplorable state of the bridge, which they described as the only major access route connecting thousands of people in the affected communities.

The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, including “No Road, No Bridge, Yet You Tax Us” and “Save Our Communities from Isolation,” lamented years of neglect and what they described as repeated unsuccessful appeals to relevant authorities.

Speaking during the protest, the community chairman, Alhaji Kamilu Sanusi, described the bridge as a critical economic and social link for residents, warning that its worsening condition could endanger lives and livelihoods if urgent action was not taken.

Sanusi said several letters, including “Save Our Souls” appeals, had been sent to the Abeokuta North Local Government and other government agencies, but no concrete intervention had been provided.

He said the bridge had become a death trap, particularly during the rainy season, forcing commercial transport operators and motorcyclists to avoid the area.

According to him, residents, traders, commuters, and schoolchildren have been facing severe hardship as many are now forced to trek long distances before accessing alternative means of transportation.

He added that community members had on several occasions contributed their personal resources to carry out temporary repairs on the bridge, but the extent of the damage had surpassed what local efforts could address.

Other residents, including Alhaja Morin Olayinka, Mrs. Bisi Badejo, Imam AbdulWahab Odejimi, and Adegbola Ismail, appealed to the state government, corporate organisations, and well-meaning individuals to urgently intervene before the bridge collapses completely.

They warned that a collapse of the bridge would cut off the affected communities and create further economic and social difficulties for residents.

The Central Area Chairman in Sabo, Dr. Adekunle Adesola, also urged Governor Abiodun to take immediate action, stressing that the condition of the bridge posed a serious threat to lives and property, especially during the rainy season.

The protesters called for an emergency declaration on the infrastructure and immediate commencement of rehabilitation works to prevent a possible tragedy.