In 2016, a road project to alleviate the 10-year suffering of Kilanko and Elegbede communities was initiated in Ilorin South Local Government Area, Kwara State. The project, contracted to Estivus Nigeria Ltd by the Ministry of Environment, held the promise of enhancing the lives of the residents. However, due to incomplete implementation, the road remained dusty and unmotorable during the dry season, posing health hazards to the community.
The road improvement and erosion control aspects of the project were left unfinished, causing significant distress to the residents. The dusty road during the dry season and the muddy and impassable road during the wet season affected the community’s mobility. It exposed them to respiratory and other health issues.
Recognizing the detrimental impact of the incomplete project, in 2017, we sensitized the residents of the Olunlade community about the situation. Together, we engaged the project’s facilitator, Sen. Bukola Saraki, to seek assistance in resolving the issue. However, our efforts did not yield any positive response.
We changed our approach and instead took the advocacy to the Michael Imodu Institute of Labour Studies, a federal agency located in the community, highlighting the dire consequences of the incomplete project on the lives of the residents. The discussions and process took four years, and in 2022, the road project was revived and completed under the agency.
The residents were overjoyed to witness the transformation of their once dusty and impassable road into a well-constructed and accessible pathway. Completing the project brought numerous benefits to the community, improving their overall quality of life.
We visited again in 2024 to check if the road was still good and serving the residents, and we saw it was still in good condition.
The road has enhanced mobility, reduced health hazards, and provided a safer living environment for the community. This project is a testament to the power of community engagement and perseverance in achieving positive change.
According to community members, road construction has improved mobility and contributed to the growth of economic activities in the area as more people and businesses have moved into the community.
Mrs Iskat, a trader in the axis, spoke about how the construction of the road has made her business boom.
“I sell food and drinks, and since the road was done, my business has boomed because sales have increased, and there is more patronage because many people are using the road and passing by,” she told Tracka.
The health of the community residents has also improved due to the absence of dust and mosquitoes from the improved drainage system.
For sustainability, the residents appeal to the government to provide solar-powered street lights along the road to improve security and enhance nightlife activities such as night markets, mobility, etc.
Alhaji Anuoluwapo, the owner of a block industry, spoke about how the road has improved the community’s quality of life and the need for speedbumps to curb accidents.
“We are very grateful to the government for this road. No more suffering for us, and many people can now come here to buy and sell. What we need now is speedbumps to help with overspeeding so that accidents will be reduced,’ he said.
We commend the Federal Government and the Michael Imodu Institute of Labour Studies for this intervention and the quality work done on the road by the contractor.
Story by Ayomide Ladipo and Olanrewaju Lawal
