Oke Aro – Matogbun Road: stakeholders find solutions
Stakeholders, community leaders came out in their large number to deliberate on how to fix Oke Aro – Matogbun Road, which usually refer to as death trap by the residents of the community. The meeting which was held on 30th of October, 2018 at The Community Hall, Matogbun was convene by Matogbun Area CDC and had several organizations and dignitaries in attendance; which include Baale of Maidan, Baale of Matogbun, represented by Mr Jimi Solola, Baale of Legun, represented by the Youth Leader (Olori Odo), Araromi Oke Odo Area CDC and his members, Elder Liadi Kareem, Chairman NURTW, Oke Aro Phase 2, Tipper Garage, Matogbun; ACOMORAN, Matogbun branch; RTEAN, Matogbun branch as well as RTEAN, Oke Aro branch.
Matogbun Area CDC chairman, Deacon O. M Olapade while delivering his keynote address said the major reason for calling the meeting is to deliberate on how to rehabilitate the road. He said the Area CDC had already put some measure in place some years back but Araromi Oke Odo Area CDC didn’t support the move, which is what led to the situation of the road now.
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Otunba Olusanya, Matogbun, Adiyan Alausa and Araromi Oke Odo Area CDC patron while addressing the gathering said most of the people that kicked against toll collection on the road have no vehicle nor motorcycle but they are now paying the toll indirectly because of hike in transport fare due to the condition of the road. He urged the residents to be doing palliative measure on the road before the government come to their aid. “I drove my car round the whole of Ifo constituency 2 and the only place government is working is Opic Estate, which prompted creation of a political movement called Oke Odo Political Movement. The reasons why we find it difficult to maintain the road is because we rely on government and we don’t understand ourselves.
“Matogbun Area CDC had once held a meeting with Araromi Oke Odo Area CDC and we established a formidable structure, which we will go back to and there wouldn’t be room for corruption when the toll collection commence.
“We have someone who is willing to invest ten million naira (#10,000,000) on the road but he is skeptical because he is not too sure if he will be able to get his money back. For now, we have three options available to us, which are; contributions (house to house), toll collection as well as loan, so let’s deliberate on them.”
Araromi Oke Odo Area CDC chairman, Mr Adegbinsote said he didn’t against any measure that will make the road motorable but majority of his people don’t support toll collection. “We have done our best, but our best is not yet enough. “We will support whatever proposal you bring forward now.”
After extensive deliberation, a road committee was set up that will look into how to have palliative measure for the road and the meeting was adjourned to Tuesday, 13th of November, 2018 for further deliberation.
