The Oyo State House of Assembly has called on federal lawmakers representing the state, particularly the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, to take decisive action toward the completion of the abandoned Ojoo–Iwo Road expressway reconstruction project, which has become a death trap for motorists and commuters.
The appeal was made by Hon. Olatunde Kehinde, Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Works, during his appearance on the BCOS Yoruba current affairs television program Kutuhai.
Kehinde, who represents Akinyele State Constituency 2, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of the road, lamenting the increasing number of fatal accidents recorded along the corridor.
The Ojoo–Iwo Road expressway, a critical transport artery linking Oyo State to Osun State and other southwestern regions, was originally slated for reconstruction to enhance connectivity and economic activities. However, the project has remained in limbo due to funding constraints and bureaucratic delays, leading to hazardous conditions for road users.
Hon. Kehinde emphasized that the incomplete road poses grave risks to motorists and commuters, with multiple lives lost due to avoidable crashes caused by deep potholes, erosion, and lack of proper drainage.
He stressed that the current state of the expressway is not only impeding economic development but also endangering public safety on a daily basis.
“It is disheartening to witness how an essential federal project like this has been neglected despite the dire consequences for our people. We have lost too many innocent lives due to this abandonment,” Kehinde stated.
Kehinde specifically urged Oyo State’s representatives in the National Assembly to demonstrate a heightened sense of urgency in resolving the financial and administrative bottlenecks that led to the project’s abandonment.
He highlighted that one of the major hurdles preventing the completion of the road is the issue of variation costs—an increase in project expenses due to inflation and other economic factors.
“The variation cost should not be an excuse for neglecting such a crucial infrastructure project. We expect our federal representatives, particularly those in strategic committees overseeing works and infrastructure, to advocate strongly for the necessary approvals and funding,” he added.
The lawmaker further stressed that Oyo State citizens have placed their trust in their elected officials, and it is their duty to ensure that critical infrastructure projects receive the necessary attention at the federal level.
The stalled reconstruction of the Ojoo–Iwo Road expressway has far-reaching implications beyond road safety. The route serves as a major link for trade and commerce between Oyo and neighboring states, facilitating the movement of agricultural produce, raw materials, and goods.
Stakeholders, including transport unions and business owners, have repeatedly decried the negative impact of the road’s poor condition on economic activities. Delays in transportation, increased vehicle maintenance costs, and heightened insecurity due to frequent breakdowns along the route have all compounded the challenges faced by road users.
With the growing public outcry over the abandoned project, there is increasing pressure on the federal government and its agencies to act swiftly. Residents and transport associations have urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to prioritize the road’s completion.
As the debate over infrastructural development intensifies in the state, many are looking to the federal lawmakers from Oyo to leverage their positions and ensure the necessary budgetary allocations and executive approvals are secured.
