Residents and traders in Abule Oko, Oke-Ayo, Magboro, Ogun State, say the main access road to their market has become dangerous and nearly impassable, especially during the rainy season.
The Abule Oko Road, which links Cele Bus Stop to Oke-Ayo, Igaun, and Makogi, has deteriorated badly over the years. A visit to the area on Tuesday showed the road turned muddy and slippery after heavy rainfall, forcing some residents to remove their footwear to reach the market.
Commercial motorcyclist Abubakar said the road was once manageable after youths in the community patched it, but it has since worsened. “When I first started working here, the road was not like this. Now it’s completely bad, especially in this rainy season,” he said. He added that he had not seen any government intervention since he began working in the area.
Residents say temporary grading by the Community Development Association, done once or twice a year, has not solved the problem. One resident alleged that past attempts by two organisations to rehabilitate the road stalled after a community leader reportedly demanded payment before work could start.
Traders at Abule Oko Market said accidents are frequent as motorcycles and cars struggle on the slippery surface. “People fall and sustain injuries.
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Motorcycles lose balance, and even cars struggle to pass,” a trader said. Another trader, Mummy Pemisire, recounted how a fish seller recently slipped and broke her arm while entering the market.
The poor road has also hit businesses hard. Traders reported a drop in patronage as customers avoid the area. “If it is repaired, people will still come even when it rains,” said trader Alamu. “Many traders have already left because of low patronage.”
When contacted, the Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, said road repairs in Magboro and surrounding areas were being handled in phases. “We have done a lot of work in some corridors.
Our people are still working, but we cannot fix all the roads at the same time,” he said, urging residents to be patient.
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