As reported by Daily Trust, residents of the Elerinjare community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have appealed to the state government to urgently address the construction of the 3.7-kilometre Idofian-Elerinjare road, which has been neglected for over 21 years.

Speaking on behalf of the community, the traditional ruler of Elerinjare, Oba Tajudeen Olanrewaju Bello (Olaitan II), expressed deep concern over the poor condition of the road, which has caused significant hardship for the people. He called on the state government to intervene and ease the suffering of residents who have long awaited the road’s reconstruction.

In a statement by the publicity secretary of the Elerinjare Ibobo Descendants Union (EIDU), Abdulhakeem Garba, the monarch said, “The road was first awarded during the first term of Governor Bukola Saraki in 2003 and during the second term of the immediate past Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.

“However, its construction did not see the light of the day. It is always a challenge yearly for indigenes who travelled far and near to access the agrarian community as rain usually flooded the way leading to the area.

“The situation forced indigenes to park their vehicles along roadside for days without gaining access to the community, while others would rather turn back,” the traditional ruler stated.

He said when constructed, the Idofian-Elerinjare road would benefit other adjoining agrarian communities of Oko-Okuta and Okoya and reduce hours spent travelling on the road.

Oba Bello, who said that communal efforts had sustained the road from getting dilapidated, added that each household was levied yearly, especially, during the rainy season to maintain the road.

The monarch said that it was collective efforts of members of the community that brought about construction of primary and secondary schools, adding that projects such as electricity, hand pump boreholes were also realised by taxing each household since 1984.

He passionately appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to urgently intervene on the cries of the people who had supported the administration since inception.

“But despite our support, the dividend of democracy are yet to reach the community. We are, therefore, appealing to our able Governor to consider our plight,” he submitted.