ABEOKUTA, Ogun State — Residents and motorists using the Sango-Idiroko Road in Ogun State have appealed to the Ogun State Government to urgently repair failed sections of the road, citing the deteriorating condition of the critical artery as a source of daily hardship and economic loss.
The Sango-Idiroko Road serves as a vital link between Ogun State and the Republic of Benin, facilitating cross-border trade and commerce. However, in recent months, several sections of the road have become increasingly impassable, with deep potholes and crumbling asphalt causing frequent gridlocks and damage to vehicles. Motorists have complained of spending hours navigating the stretch, while residents have decried the isolation of their communities from essential services.
One motorist, who identified himself as Mr. Segun Ogunleye, told journalists that the road has become a death trap, forcing many drivers to abandon the route altogether. “It is a nightmare. Our vehicles are breaking down daily, and the repair costs are crippling. We have written several letters to the government, but nothing has been done,” he said. Residents also lamented that the poor state of the road has led to a decline in commercial activities, as traders and transporters now avoid the area.
The Sango-Idiroko road is a key corridor that supports the movement of goods and people across the border, and its deterioration has had a ripple effect on the local economy. Calls for its reconstruction have intensified in recent weeks, with stakeholders insisting that the government must treat the issue as a matter of urgency. In the meantime, motorists have called on federal and state authorities to provide temporary palliative measures to ease the suffering of commuters.
The Ogun State Government has previously embarked on major road rehabilitation projects across the state, including the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and other arterial roads. However, residents argue that the Sango-Idiroko road, given its economic importance, should receive priority attention. They have also urged the Federal Government to step in and declare the road a federal project, noting that its condition is a national embarrassment.
Efforts to get a reaction from the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure proved unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, a source within the ministry indicated that plans were underway to repair the road, though no timeline was given. Residents have vowed to continue their advocacy until the government takes concrete action to address the deplorable condition of the road.
