By Adekola Afolabi

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Reprieve has  come the way of road users and other residents of SIB axis which also links some estates and the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro Road, Akure, as government reconstructed a collapsed bridge  in the area.

The bridge which links Police Headquarters, Immigration Office and  other adjoining routes, had been in precarious situation for some years back threatening the lives and property of the people in the affected area before the intervention of the present administration.

Part of the bridge had been washed away by erosion, leaving a big ditch on the road.

Some residents and other road users including the Chairman of one of the estates in the affected area, Mr. Ogunrinde Olugbenga, hailed the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for  his quick intervention by reconstructing the damaged culvert.

The people who narrated their ordeals accessing the road before the intervention of government especially when it rained, however, described the project as fantastic and a major relief for them.

The Chairman  explained that the road was  a nightmare to residents and other road users in the area before  governor’s intervention.

“Most time we had to go and get pegs with red flags to put on the road so that vehicles would not run into a ditch. But with this we thank God.

Another resident, Mrs Opeyemi Oyediran expressed gratitude to the present administration for coming to their rescue to prevent casualty in the axis.

Some commercial motorcycle operators including Ifianyi Akunesiri and Michael Adeniy, described the project as a major relief for them, saying that they can now drive on the road without fear.

Speaking at the weekend after inspecting the project, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Land and Housing, Engr Raimi Aminu described the road as a major road in the area, adding it leads to the Police Headquarters, Immigration Office,  Customs office, National Identity Card office, and some estates around the area.

The commissioner who was represented by the project Engineer,  Wole Akinnuoye, disclosed that Governor Akeredolu was on the site few months ago to assess the state of the culvert, and immediately  directed the ministry to intervene by reconstructing it.

He noted that the culvert was completed a month back while they waited for additional 28 days for curing period.

Aminu expressed satisfaction with the quality job done to ensure it serves the poeple for a very long period of time, saying that every stage of work done on the culvert was tested and certified okay according to standard.

The commissioner also revealed that  there are other three culverts already completed at the Shasha Market and community to connect the people and improve their socioeconomic condition.

He specifically appreciated Governor Akeredolu for showing concerns and bringing real dividends of good governance to the people at all times, just as he appealed to the residents to avoid dumping of waste in the waterways to prevent flooding in any part of the state.