“Unity Estate Residents Protest Abandoned Road Project in Osun State”

Residents of Unity Estate in Ido-Osun, Osun State, took to the streets in a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding urgent government intervention over an allegedly abandoned road construction project. The community, located near the Halleluyah Estate, expressed frustration over the substandard work and the prolonged neglect of the link road, which has now become nearly impassable.

According to the protesting residents, the road construction project—stretching over two kilometres—was initiated during the tenure of former Osun State governor, Gboyega Oyetola. It was awarded to Moshula Nigeria Limited, a construction company that locals claim has since abandoned the site. Despite the change in administration, the residents said no meaningful progress had been made under the current government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Our correspondent, who was present during the protest, observed that construction on the road appears to have stalled at the halfway point. Asphalt and drainage had been laid along only about one kilometre. Within Unity Estate itself, only the drainage system had been partially installed—sections of which are already deteriorating due to erosion and what residents describe as the use of poor-quality materials.

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 Unity Estate Residents Demand Action Over Road Neglect

Unable to drive into their homes, residents are now forced to park at a distance or resort to walking through rugged paths. Many complained about the financial impact, noting increased vehicle damage and the unwillingness of commercial motorcyclists to enter the estate, a situation that has disrupted businesses and daily routines.

To make their grievances known, residents blocked both the entrance and exit of the estate during the protest. Carrying placards with messages such as “Government, come to our aid,” “The contractor Moshula has failed us,” and “Abandoned road, forgotten people,” the protestors made a united appeal for urgent government attention.

Speaking to journalists at the protest, Mr. Taofeek Shehu, Chairman of the Community Development Association of Unity Estate, accused the contractor of dereliction of duty and poor-quality work.

“The road project was awarded by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola in 2022. When Governor Ademola Adeleke took over, we were hopeful after he asked the contractor to resume work,” Shehu said. “But since then, nothing has been done. The contractor has disappeared, and the little that was done is now in ruins.”

He further lamented the negative consequences on the community, particularly on transportation and local businesses. “The road damages our vehicles, commercial riders no longer come in, and our businesses are suffering. We are here today to appeal to the government to take action and direct the contractor to return to the site.”

Shehu also addressed a controversial claim circulating within the community—that the contractor might be leveraging personal ties to evade accountability. “We’ve heard he’s bragging that he won’t come back to the site because he’s the governor’s in-law. That shouldn’t give anyone immunity from doing the right thing.”

Residents emphasized that their demonstration was not politically motivated but borne out of frustration and a desire for better living conditions. “We are law-abiding citizens,” Shehu added. “We pay our dues and deserve the dividends of democracy.”

When contacted about the situation, Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, confirmed the government’s awareness of the road’s deplorable state. “We are aware of it and have invited the contractor for a meeting,” Alimi said, indicating that the state might soon take steps to address the lingering issue.

The Unity Estate protest highlights a broader concern over project continuity and quality assurance in Nigeria’s public infrastructure sector. It also raises questions about contractor accountability and the influence of personal relationships in the execution of public contracts.

As the government moves to meet with Moshula Nigeria Limited, residents of Unity Estate are watching closely, hopeful that their peaceful protest will bring about the long-overdue resolution they desperately seek. Until then, the deteriorating road remains both a symbol of broken promises and a daily hardship for the community.