Kwara community protests ‘abandoned’ road project

Oloje Community in Ilọrin West Local Government Area of Kwara State on Wednesday took to the street to protest the alleged abandonment of the Adeta-Oloje Road by the state government.  The protesters led by Malam AbdulRaheem Saidi, 70, carried various placards to express their displeasure over the development.  Speaking during the protest, Yusuf Ibrahim, representing […]

Oloje Community in Ilọrin West Local Government Area of Kwara State on Wednesday took to the street to protest the alleged abandonment of the Adeta-Oloje Road by the state government.

 The protesters led by Malam AbdulRaheem Saidi, 70, carried various placards to express their displeasure over the development.

 Speaking during the protest, Yusuf Ibrahim, representing the Oloje community, said the situation has severely impacted local businesses.

 He said the government initially pledged to complete the project within 11 months.

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 “The Yebumoat -Adeta section has been completed but this section (Adeta-Oloje) is yet to see the light of the day almost two years now,” he noted.

 He called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene and instruct the contractor to go back to site.

 Malam Saidi, the septuagenarian, stressed the havoc caused by the uncompleted road project to residents and commuters.

 He urged the government to demonstrate empathy towards the affected community members.

 Mr. Ahmed Sikiru from Ita Nma community said shops and houses were demolished in the area to make way for the construction.

Mrs Mariam AbdulRasaq, whose shop was among those demolished for the road, stated that the project had adversely affected her.

 Contacted, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Yinka Olokooba, told Daily Trust Wednesday evening that the issue has been addressed.

 “Initially, we had technical issues, but we have resolved it and in two weeks’ time, latest, the contractor is moving back to sight. The road is not abandoned.

 “Some of the residents came to my office last week and I explained to them. Instead of protesting, they should have approached my office for more explanation”, he added.