Abeokuta-based politician and Convener of the United Premier Movement, Hon. Olalekan A. Shoyinka, has commended the Ogun State Government for ongoing repairs of inner-city roads in Abeokuta, while warning that poor supervision and substandard execution could undermine the gains if quality and accountability are not prioritised.
In a piece titled “When Governance Shows Up on the Road: A Call for Consistency and Quality in Ogun’s Road Maintenance,” Shoyinka said the sight of officials of the Ogun State Public Works Agency repairing roads across the metropolis was a reassuring signal that governance was beginning to touch the everyday realities of residents.
According to him, the intervention on the Nawair-Ur-Deen–Isabo axis, believed to extend toward NEPA Road in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, deserves special commendation, noting that the road had become a nightmare for motorists, commercial drivers and traders over the years.
He said the poor state of the road had made movement difficult, especially during the Kuto Five-Day Market, forcing transporters and okada riders to avoid the area and exposing residents to what he described as avoidable hardship.
Shoyinka applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving funds for the rehabilitation of the road, describing road maintenance as one of the most visible ways government connects with the people.
He also praised ongoing works along the Adatan routes toward Isale-Ake and the Ake Palace axis, saying timely maintenance of inner-city roads was critical to urban life and economic activities in the state capital.
However, the UPM convener expressed concern over what he described as a recurring pattern of failed repairs on some roads, particularly the Lafenwa–Brewery axis in Abeokuta North Local Government Area.
According to him, the road has reportedly been repaired at least three times since October last year, yet each intervention barely lasts a few months before the surface deteriorates again.
He questioned whether the failures were due to poor understanding of the soil condition, use of inferior materials or lack of effective supervision, warning that repeated repairs without lasting results amount to waste of public funds.
Shoyinka also drew attention to MKO Abiola Way, where sections rehabilitated only months ago are already developing cracks, calling for urgent technical reassessment.
While appreciating what he described as a “Christmas gift” of road maintenance to Egbaland, Shoyinka urged the governor to deploy independent technical monitoring teams to oversee sensitive projects and ensure strict compliance with specifications.
He further called on the Ministry of Works, commissioners, permanent secretaries and directors to intensify field supervision, noting that the governor could not personally monitor all projects.
Shoyinka also urged the House of Assembly Committee on Works to play a more active oversight role to ensure transparency and value for money in road maintenance contracts.
He concluded that while the ongoing repairs deserve commendation, only consistency, quality and accountability would ensure that development is not merely announced but genuinely felt by the people of Ogun State.
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