For residents and motorists plying Olorunsogbo, Tioya round Mosfala To Abonde, all in Ona-Ara local government can now heave sigh of relief.
The close to two years of hardship they suffered by them seems to have come to an end as Ilaji Resort, just completed the rehabilitation of alternative routes provided when work started on the popular Ogbere-Tioya bridge in the area.
Since 2020, people plying communities in Ona Ara have had to spend many hours getting to their destination, owing to the damaged bridges in the area.
Apart from motorists and business owners in the area, they have experienced lull in their businesses as major roads were not passable.
“People experienced hardship getting to their homes and businesses. It was a tough moment for our people. Students had hectic time going and coming back from school. Later government came in, demolish the bridges, saying they want to reconstruct. For many months now, none of the bridges has been completed. The path created in communities for car owners have been damaged too owing to the volumes of cars and trucks using the paths.
“So when Ilaji Resorts decided to assist us. We were relieved. In fact, they haven’t started the rehabilitation that we started jubilating. This is because we know that Ilaji Resort has come to our aids on many occasions. We are grateful for this,” Maryam Adewuyi, a landlord in the area told journalists.
Asked how the said roads were given attention, one of the staffers at Ilaji Resort but who didn’t want name in print explained that “It was not about Oga’s business in the area. His life doesn’t depend largely on it. He created those businesses basically to assist people. He felt the pains of the people and talking to relevant agencies, he got the nod to do it.
“We bought asphalt from a company reconstructing a major road nearby. We mobilized workers to site. We also moved machines too. And today, people are now plying the road.”
Other residents who spoke with journalists enjoined other well-meaning individuals to emulate Sanusi, proprietor of Ilaji Resort, for everything he has done to develop cities out of villages.
Sandra Idowu, who volunteered to speak, said she and the husband moved to their Akanran house three years ago. “This was made possible because of the rehabilitation of road and electrification of this area. We couldn’t have moved into the area with bad roads and lack of electricity.”
A youth leader in the area, Semiu Abiodun, urged government to quicken construction of works in Ona-Ara local government, adding that delay of works has had negative effects on people and businesses in the area.
“I can tell you for a fact that many businesses have folded up in this area, leading to loss of jobs. People have to visit the mechanic at intervals. It isn’t good at all. The Governor Seyi Makinde administration should come to our aid,” he added.
Credit: Oyo Insight
