Residents appeal to Aiyedatiwa to revive abandoned W’Bank projects

Residents of Yaba Community in Odode Idanre, Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Thursday appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene in the revival of the abandoned projects in the community.

According to the residents, some of the projects are the World Bank/Ondo State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Projects in the community.

This was contained in a petition by the residents to the governor. It was jointly signed by the Head of Yaba Community, Chief Adegoke Boluwaji, the General Chairman of Yaba Administrative Committee, Elder Fola Adeghate and the Secretary, Yaba Market Development Committee, Olagidi Akinyode, on behalf of the community.

In the petition, the residents said the projects, which were worth billions of naira, were flagged off by the governor in 2024 but were since abandoned, following a dispute on which contractors would handle the projects

According to the petition, the abandoned projects include Odode-Bajare Road, Ojota Ala Road, and World Bank Market at Yaba/Ojotu, among others.

The petition read, “Currently, the Odode-Bajare Road and Ojota-Ala Road are impassable, severely affecting the movement of people and goods.

“The market project remains stalled due to unresolved contractor disputes. The community’s hope for development and improved livelihoods has been dashed.

This situation is unacceptable, especially for a World Bank-funded initiative entrusted to the Ondo State Government.
“It undermines public confidence and jeopardises the welfare of thousands of residents.”

They lamented that the projects were intended to improve rural mobility, facilitate trade, and unlock economic opportunities for the people of the community, but had been abandoned.

“We were encouraged when Your Excellency flagged off the Bajare Road project on August 15, 2024, and work commenced promptly on the Ojota-Ala Road.

Similarly, the market project began with site mobilisation and block moulding activities. However, the market project was abruptly disrupted when another group arrived at the site, claiming ownership of the contract and forcefully removing the original contractor.

“This conflict has led to the complete abandonment of the market, despite the scheduled commencement of full construction in February 2024,” they stated.

The concerned residents urged the governor to visit the project sites to assess the level of abandonment, resolve the contractors’ dispute and ensure the rightful contractor resumes work.

They also called on the governor to “re-mobilise construction teams to complete the road and market projects, and establish a monitoring committee to ensure transparency and accountability

We remain hopeful that your intervention will restore progress and dignity to our community.”

In a reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Strategic Communications, Mr Allen Sowore, said the matter would be brought to the attention of the governor for onward action.

“The governor has consistently assured that no project in the state will be abandoned, and this situation will not be an exception.

“I can confidently assure you that this complaint will be brought to his attention, and all attendant challenges will be promptly addressed.

“The community should, therefore, remain assured,” Sowore said.