Road Reconstruction Hampers Business Activities In Osogbo

Traders around Alekuwodo, Rasco, and Oke-Fia areas of Osogbo, Osun State capital, are currently witnessing a downturn in their trade and businesses as a result of the ongoing reconstruction of the network of roads around the axis, particularly the Alekuwodo/Oke-Fia stretch, which has been closed for over a week.

The closed stretch is proposed for the Alekuwodo/Oke-Fia flyover under the N100bn infrastructure programme of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that those badly hit by the development are food vendors, recharge card vendors, and petty traders, among others, who were trading by the roadside.

Despite understanding the necessity of the road, Tunde Adeyemi, a trader whose business flourished around the area, said, “The road closure has hit us hard. Without the usual flow of customers, our businesses are suffering.”

Also, a fruit vendor, Adeola Ojo, noted that “Since the closure, sales have plummeted since the road was closed. It has been a struggle to make ends meet.”

Mrs. Bola Adeyemi, a cloth merchant at Lameco, urged the state government to fast-track the flyover and road construction to protect their business interests. 

She said: “We appreciate the government’s efforts to improve our infrastructure, but they must consider the impact on our businesses.

“We urge them to expedite the reconstruction process and find alternative solutions to minimise our losses.”