Residents of Kemta-Ilugun-Somorin-Obantoko road in Abeokuta have expressed joy that the construction of the road has become a reality after waiting endlessly for succour which did not come until Governor Dapo Abiodun came to their rescue.
Some residents said they had hoped that the location of the residence of Nobel Laurette, Professor Wole Soyinka, in the area would spur government to do the road.
The residents also expressed surprise that the road construction was being done without their houses demolished because the immediate past government of governor, Ibikunle Amosun. had earmarked some houses for demolition to pave way for the road project.
Rehabilitation of the 6.9km road which serves as a major bypass linking Obantoko with Kemta-Idiaba has reached 80 percent completion stage. Repair work on the road has already increased economic and social activities of the adjoining communities.
Sequel to its construction, hotels, shopping complexes, private schools and modern buildings have been springing up in the area.
An excited resident, Mr Abimbola Ogunmuyiwa, said the new road had brought development to the area in different dimensions.
“Before this road was constructed, getting home after the day’s work was very difficult but now you are at the Federal Medical Centre within 10 to 15 minutes, unlike before when you spent hours.”
A journalist, Ernest Nwokolo, who lives at Ilugun, said the construction was a big relief.
“With the construction of the road, one can now keep appointments because one does not need to wait for a very long time before getting vehicles to Idiaba and from there to other parts of Abeokuta metropolis.
“For those who drive their own vehicles, relief has come for them because it will now save them the money being spent on spare parts to repair their vehicles.
“Apart from saving the man-hours being spent before bursting out at Kemta Junction, the road has made the value of properties to appreciate.”
The impact of the road is not only being felt by residents of the communities as people who commute daily from Osiele, Camp and Obantoko are now enjoying these dividends of democracy as the long man-hours being wasted in traffic on Obantoko-Asero-Adatan Road, is now over.
Dr Adewunmi Ayodele, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education, Osiele and whose house is at Laderin, said the road was a major relief for him and others living in the metropolis but working at either FCE or Federal University of Agriculture.