Residents of Sodeke-Titun Ilupeju, Oke Odo and 22 other communities in the Sabo area of Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest, calling on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently intervene and save the only bridge linking their communities to the Lafenwa-Sabo axis from total collapse.
The protesters, who trooped out in large numbers, expressed frustration over what they described as years of neglect and government inaction despite repeated appeals for assistance.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as "Asejere CDA Needs Government Intervention, Please Help!", "No Road, No Bridge, Yet You Tax Us", and "Save Our Communities from Isolation", the residents lamented the deplorable condition of the bridge and access roads serving the area.
Speaking during the protest, the Chairman of the community, Alhaji Kamilu Sanusi, said residents have endured untold hardship due to the deteriorating state of the bridge, which he described as a major economic and social lifeline for the affected communities.
According to him, the bridge has become a death trap, particularly during the rainy season, while the poor condition of the roads has discouraged commercial drivers and motorcyclists from operating in the area, forcing residents to trek long distances to access transportation.
"We have written several Save Our Souls letters to Abeokuta North Local Government and other relevant authorities, but unfortunately, nothing has been done. We can no longer continue to suffer in silence while our communities face the threat of complete isolation," Sanusi said.
He disclosed that residents had on several occasions contributed personal funds to carry out temporary repairs on the bridge, but the efforts yielded little result due to the extent of the damage.
Other residents who spoke during the protest recounted how they had consistently taxed themselves to maintain the bridge in order to keep it passable.
They, however, lamented that the burden had become unbearable and warned that a total collapse of the structure would cut off thousands of residents from neighbouring communities, as the alternative route is reportedly in an even worse condition.
Some of the residents, including Alhaja Morin Olayinka, Mrs. Bisi Badejo, Imam AbdulWahab Odejimi and Adegbola Ismail, appealed to the state government to urgently come to their aid.
They added that should government fail to respond promptly, they would welcome assistance from private individuals, corporate bodies and other well-meaning Nigerians willing to help rescue the communities from the looming disaster.
Also speaking, the Central Area Chairman in Sabo, Dr Adekunle Adesola, appealed directly to Governor Abiodun to take immediate action before the bridge collapses completely.
He warned that the situation poses a serious risk to lives and property, especially during the rainy season when erosion worsens the condition of the bridge.
Adesola stressed that urgent intervention would not only save residents from further hardship but also prevent possible tragedies involving school children, commuters and other road users.
The residents therefore urged the Ogun State Government and relevant authorities to treat the matter as an emergency and commence rehabilitation of the bridge and adjoining roads without further delay.
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