The dilapidated state of the Itosi River Bridge, located along Ilu-Aje Village in Ilora, Afijio Local Government Area of Oyo State, has become a serious cause for concern, prompting urgent calls for intervention.
The bridge serves as a crucial link between the community and Akinyele Local Government Area, but its deteriorating condition poses significant risks to residents and travelers alike. In light of recent tragic events, stakeholders are urging Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde to prioritize its repair and prevent further loss of lives.
This urgent appeal followed the unfortunate death of Honorable Gabriel Olayiwola, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a respected member of the community.
Olayiwola, who was also a farmer, met his demise when his motorcycle, laden with bags of fertilizer, slipped off the fragile and ramshackle bridge, plunging into the river below. The incident has once again highlighted the hazardous condition of the bridge and the immediate need for infrastructural intervention.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, Alhaji Ademola Wasiu Alli, another senior APC leader within the local government area, described Olayiwola’s passing as a great loss to both the party and the community. He portrayed the deceased not only as a loyal party member but also as a dependable pillar and a unifying voice of wisdom within the APC’s ranks.
Alli praised Olayiwola’s unwavering commitment to the progressive cause and his continuous efforts to strengthen the party’s political foundation, noting that his virtues of conviction, courage, and integrity will remain a lasting legacy.
Alhaji Alli further urged the Oyo State government and relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident. He emphasized the importance of taking swift and decisive action to ensure that such preventable tragedies do not recur in the future.
“The safety and well-being of our people must always be a top priority,” he stressed, calling for immediate measures to address the infrastructural neglect that has endangered countless lives.
Community members echoed these sentiments, with one resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, lamenting that the bridge had previously claimed another life earlier this year.
According to the resident, despite the villagers’ collective efforts to maintain the bridge—raising funds to keep it somewhat usable—the structure remains dangerously unsafe. The resident warned that without urgent intervention, more lives would continue to be lost to this hazardous crossing.
“We cannot continue to watch silently as more lives are endangered due to this infrastructural neglect,” the resident appealed passionately. “We therefore call on His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, a leader known for his commitment to the welfare of the people, to intervene promptly and decisively.”
The community also sought support from their political representatives. They appealed to Senator Yunus Akintude, who represents the Oyo Central Senatorial District, to assist in halting these avoidable deaths by facilitating the construction of a new, safe bridge.
Similarly, residents called on Honorable Akeem Adeyemi, the lawmaker for Oyo Federal Constituency, to fulfill his campaign promises by addressing this critical infrastructure issue through his legislative duties.
Additional appeals were directed toward Honorable Oladeji Oparinde, the representative for Afijio State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, as well as Honorable Femi Aikomo, chairman of the Afijio local government council.
The community urges all these leaders to collaborate and act swiftly to prevent further tragedies caused by the unsafe condition of the Itosi River Bridge.