The residents of Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, have again called the attention of the state government to the non-continuance of the yet-to-be completed construction works in the area.
This is in reaction to a recent statement credited to Hon. Wasiu Olatubosun, the Commissioner for Information, who said that contractors are working on sites within and around Ona-Ara Local Government.
Recall, residents and commuters in the area have been lamenting the difficulties experienced on the road as a result of the caving in of some bridges and dams in the areas. Some also complained that it is affecting their daily businesses and livelihoods.
The residents, who spoke through their representatives — Bayo Oyeleke and Mutiulah Akinkunmi, said it is either Governor ‘Seyi Makinde is pretending not to know or that he prefers his commissioner to feed him lies.
The duo, who said they are concerned residents of the area said: “We are disturbed to hear Governor Makinde’s Commissioner, Dr. Olatubosun, saying that works are ongoing in construction sites across Ona-Ara.
“Despite the anchor, Alhaji Abolade Salami’s explanation that he lives in the area and that nothing was ongoing, the Commissioner still insisted.
“If the governor has forgotten, we will remind him. We thank God that the commissioner came on Abolade Salami’s programme – Agbami Oselu on Fresh FM. For many months now, the people of Ona Ara have been facing untold hardship following the caving in of the bridge linking our area. Yes, the government assured us and moved in, but many months after, we have been left in a state of abandonment.
“Many business owners have been forced to close down, thereby making them to downsize. Those who make a living by receiving salaries to fend for their families have become something else. For many months now, we have been left to our fate. No passable road. Those who have cars have to drive longer kilometers. Their cars now get spoilt at any time.
“So it baffles us listening to the Commissioner for Information spewing lies. That is gross irresponsibility. Yes, it is like adding salt to someone’s injury. If you can’t alleviate our problems, you shouldn’t lie. And we didn’t expect that from a person of Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun”, the residents lamented.
One of the representatives continued, “We wouldn’t know why contractors have abandoned various project sites in the local government as we believe government is in better position to do that, we want to ask them what our sins are by demolishing those bridges. At least, if you can’t maintain the existing ones, they shouldn’t have been demolished.
“We have decided to let the whole world know. that we are suffering. We need help. The governor should come to our aid. He knows the problem. The Commissioner for Works is aware. The Council Chairman is not unaware. The Information Commissioner should have parried the question rather than misinforming the people in order to make the government look good. He should not only retract the statement, he should inform the governor tomorrow that the people of Ona-Ara are suffering”, he added.
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