Travellers along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway found themselves at a standstill on Monday, February 12, as residents of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State took to the streets in protest against the appalling state of roads in Ota and its surrounding areas.
The demonstrators, hailing from Sango, Ota, Ijoko, Oju-Ore, Joju, and neighbouring communities, brought traffic to a halt for hours, demanding immediate action to address the deteriorating road conditions.
Brandishing placards bearing messages such as ‘Enough is enough, fix our roads!’, ‘Time for action, not excuses!’, and ‘Our roads deserve better!’, the impassioned protesters vented their frustration at what they perceived as long-standing neglect and indifference from government authorities.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, spokesperson Sola Afariogun highlighted the dire consequences of the dilapidated roads, including loss of lives, increased transportation costs, and economic hardships for residents.
“We’ve had enough of broken promises and empty assurances. It’s time for our leaders to prioritize the well-being of our communities and invest in infrastructure that serves the people,” declared Afariogun.
The protesters specifically called on Governor Abiodun to focus on addressing state roads in Ota, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further deterioration and alleviate the suffering of residents.
Following the demonstration, the local government chairman engaged with the protesters, pledging to address their grievances and work towards tangible solutions to improve road infrastructure in the area.
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