Date: 2018-02-01

About 72 communities under the banner of Ebamiyo community in Ifelodun local government council of Kwara state have cried out to the state government to come to their aid over the deplorable condition of social amenities like roads, water and electricity supply in the community.

The community said the deplorable condition of these social amenities have cut away the people of the community from the urban centres; thereby affecting the socio economic development of the area.

The National President of the community, Alhaji Oseni Yusuf made the call in Panada village in Ifelodun local government council of the state during the recent inspection visit to the deplorable condition of Panada-Agbeyangi Yaru road in the community.

According to him, "the non access situation to all the roads in the community has affected the socio economic development of the area."

He said many investors that would have established cottage industries in the area have been staying away due to non availability of good roads in the community.

He stated that, "the people of the community that make up the concerned 72 towns and villages are farmers and they have been producing various crops in large quantities but there are no roads to transport their farm produce to the market for selling."

Alhaji Yusuf, who decried the alleged insensitivity of the government towards the plight of the community dwellers despite several appeals to the government, said "the people of the community have been in total support of the government since 1979 till date but there is nothing to show for the support being given to the government."

He stressed that, "During the last general elections and other subsequent elections in the state, the people of Ebamiyo community came out enmasse to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the promise that our roads will be opened up; but the people of the community are yet to see the dividends of democracy in the community.

Yusuf, who listed other roads that needed the urgent attention of government such as Giwa-Ogigi, Owode-Aiyetoro, Balogun-Oja, Ayero-Ago-Balogun-Oja, added that, "if these roads are opening up, it would serve as a short-cut to Ajase-Ipo to Ilorin and it would also boost our agricultural activities."

He noted that, "These roads are just 21 kilometres in length and if tarred by the state government, they would go a long way in accelerating the economic development of the community, and also assist us to get our farm produce to the market without any hindrance."

He also said the non availability of drinkable water to the community has continued to be a source of concern.

He stressed that, "the dry season is currently setting in and drinking good water has remained a serious problem as the residents trek long distances every morning in search of drinkable water, and this has affected the health of the people in the community."

While appealing to the state government to rise up to the ugly situation, Yusuf however said the development would assist the community to move forward.

Basic infrastructure has remained one of the major indicators of development and factors like good roads, potable water, regular electricity, quality basic education and access to market all combine to ensure sustainable development and overall growth.