Residents ofAsero-Obantoko-Camp, Osiele axis of Abeokuta, Ogun State have decried the state of the link road between Abeokuta and Odeda Local Government Area.Community News learnt that it has become a horrible nightmare for motorists and other road users alike, threatening not to go away.According to Mr David Ayo Oni-Orisan, a public affair commentator, 'as it is, poor maintenance culture on the part of relevant authorities coupled with incessant rainfall has led to many sections of the expressway filled with potholes. In fact, a section of the road at Asero, which in some estimation, is not more than 10 metres, has become so bad that it now housed several potholes and a 'stagnant lake' created by the saturated drainage on one side of the road. This, in turn now severely hinders the hitherto smooth flow of traffic on the ever-busy road.'The bad portion of the road has led to motorists having to apply snail-like speed while negotiating the spot in order not to damage sensitive vehicle parts, and this in turn has created a traffic monster in the form heavy traffic congestion.'Motor-cycle operators otherwise called 'Okada riders', have capitalised on the scenario and have begun raking in huge profits by lifting passengers to their different destinations for exorbitant fares.For instance, a bike ride from Moore Junction to Camp costs between N150 and N200 or even more! (On a normal day this would not cost more than N50 .These men, in a bid to make quick money, now ride their bikes so recklessly that the lives of their passengers hang in the balance during the course of the journey.'Speaking further, Oni-Orisan said 'as a matter of seriousness, the present condition of the road leaves much to be desired of infrastructural development in the state, and is one of the many testimonies of the 'perfect' maintenance culture of Nigeria at all levels- a reminder that our beloved country needs to sit up, and quickly too if we intend to achieve visions 20 20:20, 2050 2090, (and whatever other visions still exist!)A primary consequence of this problem, he further emphasised, 'is that commercial cab operators have refused to ply the route owing to the many hours spent stand-still in traffic, thus throwing many a commuter into a hell of sorts as passengers now have to stand at roadsides for hours on end waiting for a taxi to convey them to their destinations.'A secondary effect is that workers, students, business men and women and other categories of people using the road cannot get to their destinations on time and this as a result affects the socio-economic productivity of schools, offices and business as people are too tired to function adequately hence delivering under-par performances in the process.'Public Health is not left out as those driving vehicles in the traffic jam are exposed to fumes of all sorts, fatigue ( as a result of extensive driving), while those waiting to board vehicles are exposed to the intense heat of the sun for long periods as well as fumes from vehicles passing by,' he stated.
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