Residents of Unity Estate in Ido-Osun, Osun State, staged a peaceful protest on Monday, alleging that the contractor responsible for the link road project had abandoned the site and delivered substandard work.
They claimed the road construction project was commissioned by the former governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, and has been neglected since the new administration assumed office.
According to the signpost at the start of the over two-kilometre road, which begins at the entrance to Halleluyah Estate, Ido-Osun, the contract was awarded during former Governor Oyetola’s administration to Moshula Nigeria Limited.
Our correspondent, present during the protest, observed that drainage and asphalt had been laid along only about one kilometre of the road.
It was discovered that within Unity Estate itself, only the drainage had been constructed, some sections of which have already been damaged by erosion, a situation attributed to the poor quality of construction materials used.
It was gathered that many residents can no longer access their homes by vehicle due to the incomplete nature of the project.
During the protest, residents barricaded the estate’s entrance and exit, carrying placards with inscriptions including: ‘Government come to our aid,’ ‘The contractor Moshula has failed us,’ ‘Moshula fix our road, you’re paid,’ and ‘Abandoned road, forgotten people.’
Speaking to journalists, the chairman of the Community Development Association of the estate, Mr Taofeek Shehu, accused the contractor of abandoning the project and delivering substandard work.
He said, “The road project was awarded by former governor Gboyega Oyetola in 2022.
“When the present administration came on board, Governor Ademola Adeleke asked the contractor to continue work on the road.
“However, since the current administration took office, the contractor has not been forthcoming.
“He has abandoned the work and the little he did is substandard. The drainage has been washed away. The road is an eyesore now.
“The road has caused a lot of damage to our vehicles, and it’s really affecting our businesses as motorcyclists no longer ply our area.
“This is why we are out today to beg the state government to pity us and instruct the contractor to return to the site.”
Appealing directly to Governor Adeleke, Shehu added, “This road connects many areas, and we are appealing to the state government to come to our aid.
“We heard that the contractor is boasting that he won’t return to the site because he is the governor’s in-law.
“The contractor should come back and finish the job. He should also rectify the shoddy work he has done.
“We are law-abiding citizens in the community, and we hope to enjoy the dividends of democracy. The government should come to our aid.”
When contacted, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the government’s awareness of the road’s condition.
He said, “We are aware of it and have invited the contractor for a meeting.”
