Succour for eight Ogun communities as govt reconstructs 66-yr-old linking culvert
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Residents of eight communities in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State are now heaving a sigh of relief, as the government is reconstructing a collapsed ring culvert built in 1955 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, when he was the Prime Minister of Western region with a Reinforced Box Culvert.
The Culvert, which linked over eight different Communities such as, Ikanna Sunbare, Ikanna Balogun, Ikanna Paraga, Ikanna Olopa, Ikanna Onijapa, Ikanna Kangidi, Ikanna Oluwo and Ikanna Seriki in the Local Government falls within the trunk-A road from Abeokuta to Ibadan.
Speaking when he led a monitoring technical team to the project site, Commissioner for Rural Development, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, said Governor Abiodun provided funds and ordered the reconstruction because of his concern about the hardship residents of the area and adjoining communities were facing, assuring that the project would be completed in two months time.
Represented by the Director of Rural Roads in the Ministry, Engr. Wasiu Adelaja, Oludotun noted that the present administration is placing high premium on the development of rural communities, as it continues to provide befitting infrastructural facilities for the use of rural dwellers in different parts of the State.
“The administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun is committed to the development of rural communities at improving their living environment and conditions, that is why he has released money for the reconstruction of this project,” the Commissioner said.
In his remarks, the Community Head of Ikanna Balogun, Chief Mathew Olusola lauded the Governor for responding to their plights, stressing that the present administration took a bold step in reconstructing the collapsed linked culvert.
Also speaking, the Head Mistress of St. Peter Anglican Primary School, Ikanna, Mrs. Olariyike Adeoti said government’s intervention on the project was commendable, adding that it would bring good fortune to the community and increase socio-economic activities of the people living in the area.
