From Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Ogun State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr Ade Akinsanya has appealed to commercial motorcyclists to avoid plying roads under reconstruction across the three senatorial districts and take alternative routes to ensure the safety of lives.
Akinsanya, who stated this during the ongoing reconstruction of Elega-Miliki-Saje Junction road, said his ministry would work together with the state Ministry of Transport to nip in the bud, operations of Okada riders on roads during construction.
He described their operations as “problematic” while ignoring road signs and forceful maneuvering the route around the road under construction, especially during the laying of asphalt or colas to get passengers to their destinations on time.
The commissioner said “Okada people are becoming a menace on road projects; we are laying asphalt and they are riding on it. They have laid colas and they are riding on it; so it is like you are trying to do your construction work and you are fighting them, so we will work with the ministry of transportation to see what can be done.
“There is a lot of disturbance while work is going on. Okada riders are the most problematic, the other riders you can block them. We appeal to them to follow the road signs, where there is a block don’t go there, there is always alternative roads.
“If you look now, there is an alternative, but some Okada riders will want to do a short cut. So let them follow the road signs, safety is very important, people’s lives are key to what we are doing and we don’t want to lose any of them,” he noted.
Akinsanya said the Dapo Abiodun-led administration decided to embark on massive road reconstruction across the three senatorial districts due to the dilapidated condition of the roads which were abandoned by previous administrations.
Reacting, a leader of Okada riders union at Saje Junction, Yomi Sofela urged his members to cooperate with the contractors handling the road, take alternative routes and avoid using the road under construction.
The contractor handling the project, Mr Ghassan Jagel of Denver Company Ltd said Elega-Miliki- Saje Junction road would take six months and the company is hoping to finish the construction before the rainy season fully starts.
