Residents of Karanla, a rural community in the Mowe area of Ogun State, are urging the state government to address the deteriorating condition of their roads, which they say has persisted for over 20 years. The poor state of these roads has significantly hindered movement and adversely affected the livelihoods of the community members.

During a recent visit by a correspondent from Punch Newspapers, it was evident that both residents and motorcycle operators were struggling to navigate the uneven and dusty roads. The situation worsens during the rainy season, making travel nearly impossible. Saheed, a local commercial motorcyclist, expressed the frustrations of many, stating, "When rain falls, the road becomes worse than it is now. We commercial motorcycle riders, and even people with big cars, run from this area because of the road. They should have mercy on us."

Community leader Mukaila Jimoh, who is over 80 years old, lamented the lack of government intervention over the years. He noted that both major routes leading to Mowe and Lotto are in disrepair, complicating access for residents. "To go out now is a problem for us. Our road is a two-way road, one leading to Mowe and another leading to Lotto. Neither of them is good at all," Jimoh said. He emphasized that despite participating in elections, the community has seen no improvement in their living conditions.

The challenges faced by residents vary with the weather. Another unnamed motorcycle operator highlighted that the poor road conditions lead to health issues, such as respiratory problems from dust during dry periods, while rainy weather exacerbates the situation. He noted that transport fares often increase during these times due to the added risks involved in navigating the bad road conditions.

Mustafa Adisa, another community leader, guided the correspondent through Karanla, pointing out various neglected infrastructures, including roads and residential areas that have suffered from years of inattention.

In response to the residents' concerns, Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media and Strategy, acknowledged the ongoing investments in road infrastructure across the state. He explained that while the government has constructed over 1,700 kilometres of roads since taking office, the classification of roads is crucial, as some are under state jurisdiction while others fall under local government.

Akinmade reassured residents that the government considers all roads important and is working to prioritize projects across the state. He stated, "We cannot begin to develop Mowe at the expense of Ibafo or Ibafo at the expense of Magboro. Everyone has a sense of belonging and government cannot do all these things alone."

While acknowledging the long-standing issues with the roads in Karanla, Akinmade assured the community that the government would intervene if the road in question falls under its jurisdiction. However, for residents who have waited decades for improvements, the call for urgent action remains pressing.