Ondo Community Laments Abandonment Of Key Projects

Residents of Yaba Community in Odode Idanre, Idanre local government area of Ondo State have expressed concern over the abandonment of key infrastructure projects valued at billions of naira, urging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take urgent action.

The community said the stalled projects, executed under the World Bank/Ondo State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing initiative, were intended to transform the area but have instead become sources of hardship due to their prolonged neglect.

In a petition addressed to the governor, community leaders said the situation has crippled economic activities and hindered the movement of residents, calling for immediate government intervention to revive the projects.

‎Their concerns were contained in a petition addressed to the governor and jointly signed by the Head of Yaba Community, Chief Adegoke Boluwaji; General Chairman of the Yaba Administrative Committee, Elder Fola Adeghate; and Secretary of the Yaba Market Development Committee, Comrade Olagidi Akinyode.

‎According to the petition, projects worth billions of naira were flagged off in 2024 but later abandoned due to disputes over contract ownership.

‎The projects listed include the Odode-Bajare Road, Ojota-Ala Road, and the World Bank market at Yaba/Ojotu.

‎Residents lamented that the roads have become impassable, severely affecting the movement of people and goods, while the market project has stalled due to unresolved disagreements among contractors.

‎They described the development as unacceptable, noting that the projects were intended to enhance rural accessibility, boost trade, and improve residents’ livelihoods.

‎The petition read in part, “Currently, the Odode-Bajare Road and Ojota-Ala Road are impassable, severely affecting the movement of people and goods. The market project remains stalled due to unresolved contractor disputes. The community’s hope for development and improved livelihoods has been dashed.

‎”This situation is unacceptable, especially for a World Bank-funded initiative entrusted to the Ondo State Government. It undermines public confidence and jeopardises the welfare of thousands of residents.

‎”We were encouraged when Your Excellency flagged off the Bajare Road project on August 15th 2024, and work commenced promptly on the Ojota – Ala Road. Similarly, the market project began with site mobilisation and block moulding activities.

‎”However, the market project was abruptly disrupted when another group arrived at the site, claiming ownership of the contract and forcefully removing the original contractor. This conflict has led to the complete abandonment of the market, despite the scheduled commencement of full construction in February 2024.”

‎

‎The residents urged the governor to visit the project sites to assess their condition, resolve the contractor dispute, and ensure the rightful contractor resumes work.

‎

‎In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategic Communications, Allen Sowore, assured that the matter would be brought to the governor’s attention for necessary action.

‎

‎”The governor has consistently assured that no project in the state will be abandoned, and this situation will not be an exception. I can confidently assure you that this complaint will be brought to his attention, and all attendant challenges will be promptly addressed. The community should, therefore, remain assured,” Sowore assured.

‎