The road, which residents said had remained in deplorable condition for decades, is said to serve as a major link between Imala, Olorunda-Idemi, Oyan Dam and several farming communities. Community members noted that the poor condition of the road had negatively affected transportation, agriculture, commerce and other socio-economic activities in the area.
While speaking with newsmen on Tuesday at Imala the Councillor representing Imala/Idemi, Ward 14, Abeokuta North Local Government, and Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Hon. Olushola Victor, said successive administrations had made promises to rehabilitate the road without delivering a lasting solution.
According to him, the commencement of work by Senator Olamilekan Adeola popularly known as (Yayi) has brought a new sense of hope to the people.
“For over a decade, the road has been in a deplorable condition. Our people have been making a lot of efforts for us to feel the impact of government. Many have come. In fact, to my surprise, former governors have made promises to rehabilitate this road but after a long while we did not see any effective changes.”
Victor said the senator’s decision to mobilise equipment and machinery to the area demonstrated seriousness and commitment to his promise.
“To my surprise, he brought the machinery, the equipment, and placed them in locations for us to see. Right now, Imala is witnessing a new look. As we can see, development is beginning to occur right now.”
The councillor described Senator Adeola as a politician whose impact had been felt across Ogun State, expressing confidence in his ambition to become governor of the state in 2027.
“He’s a man of progressives, he’s a man of his word. So, I give it to him. He’s someone that we, the upcoming generation, look up to. So, he’s a man whose leadership style we can emulate.”
He also explained the economic importance of completing the road, saying it would open up several rural communities and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce to major markets.
“When the road is completed, it will give us access to some villages. And some villages will be able to transport their farm produce to Abeokuta and to Lagos, because there are a lot of villages linked to this particular road.”
Victor appealed to the senator to ensure that the rehabilitation was completed within the shortest possible time.
“I want the Senator to complete this road down to the entrance. It’s about 7.5 kilometres. So, I think he will start from somewhere, and that’s what we are witnessing now. I’m appealing to him, to my incoming Governor, that he should please let the project be completed on time.”
Hon. Olushola Victor, also congratulated Senator Adeola on his 57th birthday, expressing confidence in his ambition to govern Ogun State in 2027.
Victor prayed for the senator’s continued success, declaring that his next birthday celebration would be in a new capacity.
“This will be your last birthday celebration, not on earth, but as a senator. By the grace of God, your next birthday will be celebrated as the new Governor of our dear Ogun State come 2027,” he said.
Also speaking, the Omola of Imala Land, Oba Apostle Moses Adelani Adegboyega Olabode, MNI, Odunfa II, said the poor state of the road had become a major burden on the community, particularly its elderly residents.
The monarch expressed gratitude to Senator Yayi for intervening without waiting for the community to plead with him.
“The road has reached a terrible stage and has affected not only the economic life and activities of this land, but even the physique of everybody—those of us indigenes and our brothers and sisters who come for one thing or the other here.”
He added that the condition of the road had become so bad that travelling through it was difficult, saying, “It reached the most terrible, worst stage I’ve ever known.”
According to the monarch, Senator Adeola’s intervention would have a positive impact on the economic life of the community.
“My joy knows no bounds that this man has been used by Almighty God to help us and make our road navigable. Also, it’s going to affect positively the economic activities of this area and the entire community.”
Oba Olabode described the road as the “topmost need” of the community, stressing that its accessibility is crucial to Imala’s development.
Also speaking, former Permanent Secretary in Ogun State and community leader, Pastor Olusegun Bankole, also praised Senator Yayi for commencing work on the road, accusing successive administrations of making promises to the community without fulfilling them.
Bankole said the road had been neglected for decades, despite repeated appeals and representations by residents.
“When you look at the issue of this road, several governors have deceived this community. They come campaigning, ‘When I get into power, then within the next three weeks, three months, I will do something.’”
He lamented the consequences of the poor road, including vehicle breakdowns, accidents and difficulties faced by residents during the rainy season.
“Cars getting spoiled, people kept indoors, especially when it rains, people having accidents on that road. It’s a woeful thing.”
The former permanent secretary described Senator Adeola’s intervention as unprecedented, saying the senator had taken action despite not yet occupying the governorship position.
“What Napoleon could not do, Yayi has done. What we have written, we have begged, we have done everything humanly possible, going from office to office.”
Bankole congratulated Adeola on his 57th birthday and prayed for the success of his governorship ambition.
“Your desire is to become the next governor. You don’t have to worry, God is with you, and God will help you and see you through. Very soon, we will come and celebrate with you as governor.”
Similarly, a former councillor representing Imala Ward 14, Hon. Mukaila Fagbenro, described the road as one of the most economically important rural roads in Abeokuta North Local Government.
Fagbenro noted that the road links Imala with Olorunda-Idemi and Oyan Dam, stressing that its rehabilitation would have a wider impact on the local government.
He commended Senator Adeola, political leaders and community stakeholders for their contributions towards the development of the community.
Meanwhile, a resident of Imala, Mrs. Tolulope Ifebogun, described the commencement of the road rehabilitation as a welcome development after years of neglect.
“It’s something so fantastic, so interesting. It’s something we have all been looking for.”
Ifebogun said the intervention was particularly significant because Imala was an ancient community that had long yearned for development.
“For somebody to take that bold step to come into Imala to help us reconstruct, refurbish, and do whatever that would improve the community, then he should go ahead. I support him.”
She urged residents to support Senator Olamilekan Adeola, saying the visible commencement of work had given the people a reason to believe that development was finally reaching the community.
“This is not politics, this is what we can see. If Yayi could develop Aiyetoro as much as what he has done, then I believe it’s not a camouflage. He has come, he’s going to stay, he’s going to work, and we are going to see much of improvement.”
