Residents and business owners along Opic Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, have expressed frustration over the dilapidated condition of the road, which they say has become a major challenge, especially during the rainy season.

The road, which leads to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Mowe-Ofada Road, the Magistrate Court, and the palace of the Onigbein of Igbein Land, is a vital route for both commuters and businesses in the area.

A resident, Joseph Oluwatimileyin, lamented the difficulties navigating the road, particularly when it rains.

?This road is in bad shape, and, unfortunately, the palace is located here, yet the road is terrible, especially during the rainy season,? he told PUNCH Metro.

?Big vehicles can?t pass because they risk damaging their parts due to the many large potholes along this road.?

Oluwatimileyin also held that the road has been neglected for over a decade.

?Since Governor Amosun repaired the road, nothing has been done to it in the past 10 years,? he lamented.

He also highlighted the alarming accident rate in the area, urging the state government to take action.

?The accidents here are too frequent. We need urgent intervention to fix this road and reduce the number of accidents,? he said.

A local business owner, who requested to remain anonymous, also criticised the state of the road, expressing disbelief at the lack of improvement despite the proximity to the palace.

?I?ve been here for almost three years and haven?t seen any changes. It?s even shocking that there?s a massive pothole right in front of the palace,? she said.

The business owner explained how the road?s condition has negatively impacted her business. ?Because of the poor road, many vehicle owners avoid this area to prevent damage to their cars,? she said. ?If the road were in better shape, this would be a prime business area, but people don?t want to risk damaging their vehicles.?

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, assured that the state government has not neglected its duties.

He assured that efforts are being made to address the situation.

?We are working towards ensuring that most roads in Ogun State are motorable. We are doing everything we can to make sure that the roads are usable,? Akinmade said. (The PUNCH)

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