Open letter to Governor Ajimobi

Sir: I had cause to attend the first inaugural conference of the Ibadan School of Government Public Policy, at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, from February1-2.

A day earlier, as soon as I arrived at Iwo road, I tried to locate the direction to my younger sibling’s house at Adegbayi area of Egebeda Local Government Area. The cab driver told me that the routes from Iyana Block , Adegbayi , Ikuogbolekun leading to Airport Road and through Alabidun are no-go areas, but if I could pay his bills that he would convey me to Ikuogbolekun where my brother sibling lives.

I was a bit shocked with the charges. But when I compared to Lagos I did accept the bills. But, nay, I realized the cab driver was not making an overstatement when he told me at Iwo road how bad the linkages were.

Later, I began to ask my younger brother questions why Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has not fulfilled his campaign promises to provide dividends of democracy to the citizenry living around Iyana Block, Adegbayi, Ikuogbolekun, Airport Road and Alabidun .The citizens of these areas are Nigerians paying their taxes to the coffers of Oyo state and by so doing they need to be provided with dividends of democracy including good road network.

The Ikuogbelekun Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman Otunba Kehinde Animasahun related in tears how they have been marginalised by all the governors that have ruled the state since 1999.

Painfully, he recalled communal projects the community has embarked on to make the areas habitable. But, the questions begging for answers are how much could CDAs do with projects that are purely and truly government’s responsibility. Otunba Animasahaun mentioned efforts to change the wooden electricity poles to concrete poles, the drainages they taxed themselves to put in place to facilitate flow of goods and services in the neighborhood.

I cannot but appeal to the governor to provide the basic things of life for the residents. I really feel sorry for the pregnant mothers plying those bad roads on daily basis because as I was told, some expectant mothers have had miscarriages because the government is failing in its duties. It is not over until it is over.
• Leo Ezekiel,
Lagos.