Residents of Cele Phase 2 community in Aseese, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have appealed to the state and local governments to urgently rehabilitate their access road, saying its deteriorating condition has made movement increasingly difficult.
The residents said the road becomes muddy and slippery whenever it rains, making it difficult for motorists, commercial motorcyclists and other commuters to navigate the area.
According to them, the poor condition of the road has also contributed to motorcycle accidents, frequent vehicle breakdowns and disruptions to commercial activities within the community.
One of the residents, Wale Elegbede, said motorists often avoid the road during rainfall because of the difficulty involved in using it.
“People are afraid of driving their cars here whenever rain starts. Everything about the road becomes an issue,” he said.
A trader in the area, Kemi Adebisi, also lamented the impact of the road on businesses, saying residents face greater hardship during the rainy season.
“The road is really terrible when rain falls. See how sloppy it is. A lot of people here are not happy during the rainy season because the road becomes worse and movement becomes difficult,” she said.
Another resident, Tosin Akinwale, said the condition of the road had repeatedly forced him to spend money on vehicle repairs.
“This road has cost me a lot during the rainy season. See the steep part of the road now that it is dry; now imagine when rain falls on this road,” he said.
Residents further complained that heavy rainfall sometimes leaves parts of the community flooded, with the effects of the poor road lingering several days after the rain.
Adeoye Ogunwale, another resident, described the road as “very, very bad”, saying its condition had even affected social interaction within the community.
The residents are consequently calling on the Obafemi Owode Local Government and the Ogun State Government to inspect the road and commence rehabilitation as soon as possible.
They said fixing the road would improve accessibility, reduce accidents and vehicle damage, support businesses and make life easier for residents, particularly during the rainy season.
For the Cele Phase 2 community, the appeal is not only about improving infrastructure but also about ensuring that residents can move freely and conduct their daily economic activities without the road becoming a major obstacle whenever it rains.
