The Owa of Otan-Ayegbaju, Oba Lukman Adesola Ojo-Fadipe, has made an urgent appeal to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for immediate intervention to repair the Otan-Ayegbaju–Ila-Orangun road, which is facing severe deterioration. The monarch's plea comes after a recent inspection revealed alarming erosion and damage to critical sections of the highway, raising concerns for the safety of motorists and residents.

During the inspection, Oba Ojo-Fadipe highlighted three specific areas where flooding has caused significant damage, notably at Oke-Ola, where the bridge structure is reportedly caving in. He described the Akerekete section as particularly hazardous for commuters traveling between Ila-Orangun and Otan-Ayegbaju, as well as to Ikirun and Osogbo.

"Vehicle movement is becoming increasingly difficult. I am pleading on behalf of the people of Otan-Ayegbaju and the motorists using this road that Governor Ademola Adeleke rescue it before it collapses entirely. We need the government to take action now to prevent preventable loss of lives," he stated.

The road serves as a crucial link for communities in the area and is also a transit route to major cities such as Kogi, Benue, and Abuja. The Chairman of the Commercial Motorcycle Riders Union in Boluwaduro LGA, Azeez Fabunmi, attributed the road's deterioration to recent heavy rainfall, emphasizing its economic significance.

Fabunmi urged the state government to prioritize repairs, stating, "We plead with the government to fix this road to protect the lives of road users from across the country."

Community leader Amos Sasona echoed these concerns, noting that the damage around the Akerekete bridge has reduced the road to a single lane, complicating traffic flow. He warned that if the road were to give way completely, it would halt transit between Ila-Orangun and Osogbo entirely. "Our main fear is for drivers who are unfamiliar with the terrain, especially at night, as they could easily plunge into the ditch," Sasona cautioned.

Further calls for urgent action were made by transport union representative Dauda Oyeniyi and Aare Adetunji Mosebolatan, President of the Otan-Ayegbaju Progressive Union. Mosebolatan pointed out that while the community has previously funded repairs on local roads through self-help initiatives, the extent of the damage on this major road necessitates government intervention. He urged the state government to act swiftly to prevent further deterioration and potential accidents.

As the situation continues to worsen, the community remains hopeful that Governor Adeleke will heed their calls for assistance to avert a looming crisis on this vital transportation route.