Secondary pupils from Araromi, Mabolaje, and Alaguntan in Oyo East Local Government area of Oyo State were saved from floods that affected the entire village.
According to Mr. Sunday Olaniyi, Public Relations Officer of the Landlord Association in the region, the students were passing down the sole route connecting the villages, which had been abandoned for years due to the downpour.
He stated that the pupils had fallen into the torrent of flowing water before rescuers jumped in and pulled them out.
Mr Olaniyi stated that the highly populated areas have been experiencing the anguish of road deterioration for more than ten years. Corroborating his colleague’s allegations, Mr Ojerinde John, a landowner, stated that the community has made repeated attempts, including writing letters to appropriate quarters, to rehabilitate the road and bridge, but nothing substantial has been done.
What they’re saying
Mr Olaniyi stated,
“We request that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration assist us in reconstructing the road and bridge there. We have written letters to the relevant Ministry, but we have yet to see them here.“The councillors have tried their best but the repair of the road whose most parts have been washed away by erosion is beyond their power.
“ In his own words, Mr Ojerinde stated that their complaints have yet to be heard by the relevant Ministry, and that floods caused by the poor condition of the road endangers many lives in Oyo.
“We have tried repeatedly to draw the attention of the state government, but to no avail. You should be here while it’s pouring.
“The road has been severely degraded, rendering it impassable. We urgently require the attention of the State Government to protect us from harm.”
In Essence
This situation requires the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in Oyo State. The fact that students narrowly escaped death due to the poor condition of a vital road and bridge highlights the dire consequences of neglecting essential public works.
The community’s ongoing pleas to Governor Seyi Makinde and the relevant ministries for repairs have so far gone unanswered, despite the clear danger posed by the deteriorated infrastructure.
It’s critical for the state government to address these concerns promptly to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
