Community begins work on abandoned road in Usi-Ekiti

Young and elderly residents of Irede-Bishop Court Estate in Usi-Ekiti, Ido/Osi Local Government Area of Ekiti State, last Saturday, embarked on the repair of the major road linking their community with other  towns in the state.

The road, which was hitherto impassable and overgrown with weed, was abandoned by the residents due to its bad state.

Bishop Isaac Olatunde Olubowale, Bishop of  the Diocese of Ekiti Oke (Anglican Communion), who spoke with Community News during the  exercise, said the community resolved to embark on self-help in order to make the area a better place to live.

“We decided to take the bull by the horn  by resolving to repair of  road because we are the users. In this regard, every member of the community  contributed towards the execution of the project. You can see the elderly  and young people  engaging in direct  labour.

“If you  go through government record, the contract for this road must have been awarded, executed and even commissioned but you can see for yourself the status of the road.”

Also, Deaconess Victoria Ojo, a retired nurse, who is in the community for  the Midwifery  Service scheme  said: “My assignment here is community service.  So, I had to go round to the people in the community so that we can do something with renewed energy  and determination in order to make the road passable.

“ The road was impassable  and we do record fatal motorcycle  accident every now and then.  I told the people we cannot continue to fold our arms and allow the bad condition of the road to disconnect us from other communities or send us away from our homes. People donated  materials for the project and they all came out to participate in its execution. So far so good, we have been able to do something, and hopefully very soon,  we will take another step.

“We don’t want to wait on government anymore but if they can help us on the project, we will appreciate it.”