Abule Oko Residents Complain About Bad Market Road, Want Help

Residents and road users in Abule Oko, Oke-Ayo, Magboro, Ogun State, are unhappy with the bad state of the community road. They say it is dangerous, slippery, and threatens lives and businesses, especially during the rainy season.

During a visit to the area on Tuesday, our reporters found that the road runs from Abule Oko to Cele Bus Stop, linking areas like Oke-Ayo, Igaun, and Makogi. Over the years, it has gotten worse, making it hard for commuters, drivers, traders, and residents to move around.

After a recent heavy downpour, the road was almost impossible to use. Some residents even had to take off their shoes to reach the market.

A motorcycle rider known as Abubakar shared with us that the road was better before. Community youths used to fix it, making it easier to travel. But now, he says, the road is in terrible shape, especially when it rains.

"When I first started working here, the road was not like this. Community youths fixed it, and the movement was easy. But now, the road has become completely bad, especially during this rainy season," he said.

Abubakar also mentioned that he has not seen any help from the government since he began working in the area. He pointed out that a part of the road near Magboro Main Market was recently fixed, but residents do not know if the government did it or if a private person handled it.

"The truth is, I am not from here, and I have not seen or heard of any attempt by the government to fix this road. We can only pray that the government does what is right," he added.

Another resident, who asked to stay anonymous, said the road has been bad for years. He described the repairs done by the Community Development Association as only temporary fixes.

"The road has been like this for many years. What they do is just grade it once in a while, maybe twice a year, and that does not solve anything," he said.

This resident also claimed that two organizations tried to fix the road in the past, but a community leader asked for money before they could start.

Traders at Abule Oko Market reported that the situation gets worse when it rains. The road turns muddy and becomes dangerous for people and vehicles.

"In most cases, people fall and sustain injuries. Motorcycles lose balance, and even cars struggle to pass," a trader said.

"Accidents happen a lot. When cars try to avoid potholes or slippery sections, they lose control and hit motorcycles. I have seen people sustain serious injuries such as broken legs, broken arms, and head wounds," Abubakar added.

The traders also said this issue has harmed their businesses. Many have seen a drop in customers because people find it hard to get to the market.

"This road is very important to us. If it is repaired, people will still come even when it rains," a trader named Alamu said.

He continued, "Many traders have already left because of low patronage. When traders leave, buyers will go elsewhere, even though everything they need is available here."

Another trader, Mummy Pemisire, shared a story about a fish seller who recently fell and broke her arm while trying to get to the market.

When we reached out to Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, he explained that road repairs in the area are happening in phases. He noted that some roads in Magboro and nearby communities have already been fixed.

"We have done a lot of work in some corridors. Our people are still working, but we cannot fix all the roads at the same time. It is one step at a time," Akinmade said.

He promised residents that all roads are important to the government and asked for their patience, adding that the affected areas will eventually get the help they need.