NIGERIA; BLOCKAGE AT OGBOMOSHO ROAD DUE TO 18 YEARS OF Non-Completion

BLOCKAGE AT OGBOMOSHO ROAD DUE TO 18 YEARS OF Non-Completion

The Ogbomosho-Ilorin road serves as a link between the South West and northern parts of the country Nigeria. Hundreds of residents in Ogbomosho area of Oyo State, were out to prevent vehicular movement on the busy Ogbomosho-Oyo-Ilorin road. They came to protest non-completion of the road 18 years after the construction started.

The construction of the dual carriage highway which started 18 years ago has left the Ilorin-Ogbomosho and Oyo-Ibadan portion in a particularly deplorable condition. While the other axis of the express road is yet to be started.

Statistically in a year, an average of 780 persons die on this road. Multiplied by 18 years since the abandonment.  It shows that an average of 14, 040 persons have lost their lives on this road. An accidental death on the road has drastically cut short the life expectancy of persons living in this part.  This is alarming and calls for urgent completion of the express road under construction.

The blockage of the road resulted in serious gridlock which forced motorists to meander through untarred roads in villages and hamlets to get to their destinations. The protesters gathered at the Taki Square of the city as early as 7am with placards and varous descriptions.

Among the protesters were the Christians Association of Nigerian, CAN Ogbomoso zone, the Igbo Community, Hausa Community and other socio-cultural groups.