Floodwater submerges road to Ogun gov’s hometown - Punch Newspapers

• The flooded road to Abiodun’s hometown. Photo: Ayoola Babalola

A section of the Siun-Ogere-Iperu Road in Ogun State has been submerged by floodwater, forcing motorists to navigate through the water as portions of the road deteriorate. The stretch of road that links  Governor Dapo Abiodun’s hometown to other parts of the state has deteriorated at the Ajura section. Our correspondent also observed that the floodwater has washed away the carriageway and edges of the road. The development has raised concerns among motorists who ply the route, particularly commercial drivers and others whose businesses depend on regular movement along the road. Speaking to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, a motorist who identified himself simply as Quadri said the road was recently repaired ahead of the National Sports Festival hosted by Ogun State but begun deteriorating shortly afterwards. “They said they repaired this road recently. We don’t know how much they would have spent on it, but the repair started wearing out in weeks,” he said. Another motorist, Shola, said the road had undergone repairs several times since the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “They have come to repair this road like three times. But the first two times were like patchwork. The last time, we thought it was a better job until the road started wearing out weeks after,” he said.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Shola said flooding was a recurring problem along the route, alleging that several water channels crossed different sections of the road without adequate drainage infrastructure. “The road is a flood-prone area with several rivers and streams lining across different sections of the road. Still, there is no drainage,” he said. He alleged that similar drainage challenges existed on the Kajola-Sagamu road, adding that private individuals and companies had subsequently provided drainage in some areas. “The road projects are generally poor,” he added. However, the Ogun State Government said it was aware of the flooding and deterioration at the affected section and had approved the comprehensive reconstruction and realignment of the road. Awujale stool: Ruling house heads sue 12 family members for N1bn Diphtheria: Academy links low immunity to rising cases Ogun community seeks support on tourism The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to Abiodun, Kayode Akinmade, told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the government was aware of the situation around the Siun-Ogere-Iperu Road, particularly the section close to Ajura. Akinmade said the State Executive Council had approved the full reconstruction and realignment of the road. According to him, the reconstruction would involve raising the road profile and constructing a bigger box culvert to improve water flow and address the recurring flooding and washout at the affected section. “The State Government is aware of the situation around the Siun-Ogere-Iperu Road, particularly the section close to Ajura. “It is important to clarify that the full reconstruction and realignment of the Siun-Ogere-Iperu Road was awarded at the last meeting of the State Executive Council. “As part of the reconstruction, the alignment at the affected location will be modified, the road profile will be raised, and a bigger box culvert will be provided to improve water flow and address the recurring flooding and washout at that section,” Akinmade said. He explained that the road work carried out recently was a temporary intervention ahead of the National Sports Festival, which Ogun hosted in May 2025. The festival was held across venues in Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ikenne and Ijebu-Ode. Akinmade said the temporary work was intended to improve access and movement during the festival, while the newly approved reconstruction was designed to provide a permanent solution to the challenges. “The work recently carried out on the road was undertaken ahead of the National Sports Festival to improve access and movement during the event. “The comprehensive reconstruction now approved is designed to provide a more permanent solution to the challenges at the affected sections of the road,” he said. For now, motorists continue to contend with floodwater and deteriorating sections of the carriageway as they await the commencement of the planned reconstruction. The Ogun State Government’s procurement records also indicate that the Siun Junction-Iperu Junction Road had previously undergone rehabilitation, with a 2022 project listed as completed. Ayoola Babalola

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