Bad Road Disrupts Business Activities In Ogun’s Arepo Community
Small business owners and artisans operating along Pipeline Road in Arepo, Ogun State, have raised concerns over declining customer patronage, flooding, excessive dust and poor accessibility caused by the deplorable condition of the road.
The traders, who spoke with our correspondent, said the deteriorating road had made it difficult for motorists and residents to access their businesses, particularly during rainfall, when sections of the route become muddy and impassable.
They noted that some customers had resorted to using alternative routes, while others parked their vehicles far from the businesses due to the poor state of the road.
A foodstuff seller who has operated in the area for more than 11 years said the road condition had negatively affected her sales, as customers often preferred to patronise businesses along better roads.
According to her, motorists frequently use Journalists Estate Road, which she described as being in better condition, instead of Pipeline Road.
She said flooding during rainfall also disrupted her business, making it difficult to display her goods and operate normally.
Similarly, a Point of Sale operator and shoe seller, Ruth Iwegbu, said the road had remained in poor condition throughout the 13 years she had lived in Arepo, including the four years she had operated her business in the area.
Iwegbu explained that the road discouraged potential customers, including people she met at churches and social gatherings whom she invited to patronise her business.
She recalled that residents and business owners previously contributed funds and worked together every December to grade the road, but said the practice had stopped about two years ago.
According to her, while the government had rehabilitated the main road, Pipeline Road had yet to receive similar attention.
She appealed to the authorities to extend road rehabilitation efforts to the area, saying such intervention would improve access and support local businesses.
