FThe residents of Ona-Ara Local Government in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State are now lamenting hardship and uneasiness on obstacle retarding their free movement in the axis of ancient city as alternative route created to ease the reconstruction of Tioya bridge along Amuloko area was washed off by heavy downpour that was experienced yesterday.
The heavy downpour had completely washed off the alternative route, provided to ease free movement in respect of Tioya bridge that was demolished for reconstruction.
It would be recalled that the alternative road had been created in order to enhance easy passage of both pedestrians and vehicles, when the Tioya bridge was demolished for reconstruction.
Residents, who spoke to journalists on Saturday morning, expressed sadness, explaining that “it might be difficult for the construction company to create another alternative route. They are looking for ways of diverting traffic to nearby street roads.
“Many residents and visitors are stranded as we speak. Nobody knows the next line of action. It is so sad that this bridge caved in just first rain after it was constructed. I recall that we complained to the government last year that this project wasn’t properly handled. We were accused of being used. This is the only road that links the local government headquarters in Akanran.
“Only last year, around March 14, the pedestrian bridge also collapsed and washed away few hours after its construction.
“We want to call on the government through the Ministries of Works and Transport as well as other relevant agencies to come to our aid. We are stranded. We don’t know what to do. This is beyond personal effort. We cannot shoulder it. We want government to quickly come to our rescue. Everything has been affected between yesterday and now. In fact, it is negatively affecting the wellbeing of the close to one million residents and also the economic prosperity of the area. Some of us don’t work here, we have to go and come back on daily basis. Our children will go to schools, people will go to their shops and all that. We need urgent solution,” Ajibike Taoreed told journalists.
