Motorists, Commercial Motorcyclists Call For Completion Of ‘Ona Baba Ona’

 

Yusuf Oketola

SOME residents of Osogbo, the capital of the State of Osun, have appealed to the state government to complete the construction of the second phase of Oba Adesoji Aderemi East Bye Pass road, popularly known as ‘Ona Baba Ona’ to reduce accidents on the road.

The second phase of the road which is still under construction from Testing Ground through Oke-Baale to Ilesa Garage roundabout has been a major challenge to motorists plying the single lane road, findings reveal. 

The East bypass is one of the major road networks built under the infrastructural revolution of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration which was almost in completion before the end of his tenure in 2018. 

However, the completion of the road has been foot-dragged since Governor Adegboyega Oyetola took the mantle of leadership in the state.

 According to some commercial motorcylists and motorists, there have been series of accidents on the completed single-lane from Testing Ground to Shasa roundabout at Oke-Baale.

The motorists and commercial motorcyclists lamented that the Shaha roundabout has remained an accident spot for them because of the navigation of vehicles to the single-lane heading to Ilesa Garage. 

The second lane of the road, as observed by OSUN DEFENDER, appeared to be in an abandoned condition as flood is now eroding the dirt road.

Appealing to the state government, a motorist, Mr Wale Adewunmi, said it is important for the state government to complete the second phase of East Bye Pass to stop the carnage on the tarred side of the road.

Adewunmi stressed that completion of the road will be an achievement recorded in favour of Governor Oyetola. 

He said: “We urge the state government to fast-track the completion of this road. There have been some recorded accidents on one side of the road which has been tarred. We are appealing to Mr Governor to complete the road before flood totally damage the uncompleted part.

“The completion of this road will be an achievement in favour of Mr Governor. 

According to a commercial motorcyclist, Mr Sulaimon Olaosegba, the road is strategic to economic development of the state which make it necessary for the government to complete the other lane of the road. 

Olaosegba noted that the road has attracted a lot of investments, saying business owners are trooping to the area on daily basis and houses were springing up in the area. 

He said: “Ona Baba Ona has facilitated a lot of businesses into the state capital which shows its economic impact. There is no time you pass through the road that you won’t see any ongoing construction of different buildings. This development makes it necessary for Osun government to embark on the full construction of the second phase. 

“We appeal to them to look into this before rain fully commenced. The abandonment of the other side is of no use. A lot of accidents are happening on the completed one due to the congestion of the road and difficulty in navigating the roundabout at Shaha.