Ogun State blames road damage on blocked drains, urges proper waste disposal

The Ogun State Government has linked the recent damage to a part of the Car Wash, Moore Junction Road in Abeokuta to people throwing waste into drainage channels. They warned that this habit is a serious threat to public roads and community safety.

The government said early findings showed that waste dumped into the drains blocked the flow of stormwater during a heavy rain. This blockage caused water pressure to build up and eventually damaged the road.

In a statement signed by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, the government rejected claims that the damage was due to bad construction or poor materials.

The statement explained that the drainage system for the road was well designed to handle stormwater runoff. But the rubbish piling up created blockages that stopped water from flowing properly.

The statement added that all materials used for building the road were thoroughly tested and met, or even exceeded, the required engineering standards. The contractor for the project is a well-known construction firm with years of experience in delivering quality projects.

“The damage was not caused by any faults in the road construction. Investigations show that the blockage of drainage channels by waste thrown away carelessly by residents stopped the water from flowing, leading to the damage after the heavy rain,” the statement said.

The government also mentioned that the contractor and engineers from the Ogun State Ministry of Works are currently on-site assessing the damage. After this assessment, work will start immediately to fix the affected road and ensure safety for all road users.

While reaffirming their commitment to providing and maintaining important infrastructure in the state, the government noted that residents also have a role in protecting public assets.

They warned that throwing waste into drainage channels not only damages roads but also causes flooding, harms the environment, risks public health, destroys property, and wastes public money.

The government is calling on communities, market groups, transport unions, religious bodies, and residents to support efforts for environmental cleanliness and educate their members on the dangers of throwing waste carelessly.

They also urged residents to report anyone seen dumping waste into drains to the right authorities for action. The government believes that protecting public roads requires teamwork and cooperation from everyone involved.

They added that they will keep taking steps to protect lives, property, and public investments across the state. The Ogun State Government promises to quickly repair the damaged road while also increasing awareness campaigns to prevent similar problems in the future.