DEPLORABLE STATE OF INFRASTRUCTURES AND OGUN STATE ARE SIAMESE TWINS

 

Sango, Ogun State

 It has the highest level of history of civilization  but it is the most backward state in Nigeria in terms of infrastructural development. It has produced countless notable individuals: the first premier of the defunct western region, two times Head of State, first African Nobel winner, most celebrated African global music icon,  most richest African man in time past, current Vice President of the Federal Republic, first woman to drive car in Nigeria, just to mention a few but the state of most roads in the State is nothing to write home about. It has been ruled by the progressives and the conservatives but no significant improvements in its infrastructural facilities. I speak of no other State than Ogun State. From Yewa to Ijebu, Ijebu to Abeokuta, Abeokuta to Ilaro, Ilaro to Ifo, Ifo to Mowe, just name it, the state of roads in Ogun State are eyesores. 

Be it federal government road, state or local government road, roads in Ogun state are not just bad but they are worst. I don't envy people that live there or ply the roads. As an undergraduate, I schooled and lived in Ogun state, precisely in Ago Iwoye. While going to school then, I always remembered the memory of small bridge and roads we have to pass through from Ilisan to Ago Iwoye. The road was bad when we were there, but now it is impassable again. I remembered back then that the smiling Daniel through OGROMA tried to fix the road but you need to see the quality of the roads such that less than three months after the tarring which was not even completed, the whole roads was back to square one. 

One would have thought the coming of the Governor with the big cap will change the narratives, unfortunately, the more things change in Nigeria, the more things remain the same. When the Governor started 'budollzing' everywhere building pedestrian flyovers across the State's capital, many thought a new sheriff is in town, but eight years gone, nothing to show for it except people who have been rendered homeless through the forceful demolition of their properties without commensurate or any compensation from Gasline to Agbado Crossing, Agbado Crossing to Akute, Akute to Mowe. Everything was just a showmanship - an empty drum without water. 

Sometimes ago, I wrote about my horrible experience with my family when I made attempt to pass through Papa Alanto road to Magboro; the journey was a nightmare which I don't wish for my enemy to experience. I wish things are different but my journey to Ifo of recent still left me bewithered if there is a government in Ogun State. 

The question that agitates my mind is what is wrong with Ogun State? While is the state backwards in terms of infrastructures despite boasting of most enlightened people in the country? What is wrong? I find three answers?

1. Bad leadership - most leaders that have been governing the State since the return of the country to civilian rule have always been welcome with a loft of fanfares, but four years, eight years than the line, they are always left uncelebrated. I blame this on poor vision and mismanagement of priorities. Some of them started well, but for lack of focus, they end up leaving the pressing issues undone. What is leadership? Leadership is the ability to harness the human and non-human materials resources in your custody to champion a new or good course for the people you lead by taking them from where they are to where they supposed to be. It's building bridges across divides irrespective of political leanings and religious persuasion by pursuing set targets and goals for the advantage of all. This is has not been the case in Ogun State. 

2. Bad Politics - In 2004, when I gained admission into the university, I was bamboozled to see one  side of a tertiary institution road will be completed and one left undone, then I asked questions? I was told the man who constructed the one-side road said he will be coming back to complete the second side if only and if he is voted and re-elected, but he was never re-elected, but thank God the person who took over came to our rescue; but you need to see the harrowing experience we were subjected to in the hands of dust. You cannot wear a cloth twice. Who born your monkey? Bad politics is what make successive leaders in the State to abandone their predecessor projects at the expense of public fund, resources and people that supposed to benefit from such projects. Take the Agbado Crossing bridge to Akute bridge started by the 'Big Cap Governor' been abandoned by the Mr Yellow Governor. 

3. Corruption and mismanagement - while this is a national unawesome omen, Ogun State successive leaders have prioritized their personal interests above the general interests of the State, the end result is deficient infrastructural facilities and needless wastage of lives and properties. Only God can account for number of innocent lives that have been wasted on Ogun roads due to their poor state.  What bemused me is that why the foremost leaders in the State cannot call such leaders to order? Why? 

Funny enough, the State appears to be the most industrialized State in Nigeria in terms of industrial companies resident within it. 

Dear people of Ogun State, my prayer for you is for God to give you good Governor come 2023 so that your plights can be ameliorated. Adieu for now!

Sanmi Adekola is a Social Commentator, Policy Analyst and Entrepreneur.