Osun Communities Urge Tinubu to Revive Abandoned Eko-Ende Bridge, Ikirun-Ogbomoso Road

Communities along the Ikirun–Ogbomoso corridor in Osun State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the completion of the abandoned bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River and the reconstruction of the Ikirun–Ogbomoso road.

The communities said the completion of the projects would improve transportation, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and stimulate economic activities across communities in Osun, Oyo and Kwara states.

The appeal was made by the Elende of Eko-Ende, Oba Abdulwaheed Babatunde Adekunle, during an inspection of the abandoned bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River.

The monarch made the appeal during a consultation visit by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District, Barrister Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (SAN), popularly known as K-RAD, and the party’s candidate for Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr. Mulikat Jimoh.

Oba Adekunle urged K-RAD to convey the concerns of the affected communities to President Tinubu, stressing that the poor state of the bridge and road had continued to hamper transportation and economic activities in the area.

“The bridge and road are critical to our economic survival, and giving them the required attention will have a significant impact on our livelihoods,” the monarch said.

He identified Eko-Ende, Ore, Ilie, Iregba and Iresa, among other communities, as beneficiaries of the infrastructure, noting that residents depended heavily on the corridor for the movement of people, farm produce and other goods.

The bridge, which was initiated during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and awarded to MM & IF Construction Company, was conceived to improve connectivity between communities in Osun and neighbouring Oyo State.

However, its abandonment, coupled with the deteriorating condition of the road, has continued to create transportation difficulties for residents, farmers, traders and other businesses operating along the corridor.

The monarch also expressed support for the Tinubu administration, saying the affected communities would continue to mobilise support for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Responding, K-RAD pledged to present the infrastructure challenges confronting the communities to the Presidency, assuring residents that their concerns would receive appropriate attention.

“We will do the needful as soon as possible,” Adegoke assured the communities.

The APC senatorial candidate also commended the Tinubu administration for its infrastructure interventions across Osun State, expressing confidence that the Federal Government would appreciate the importance of the Ikirun–Ogbomoso corridor to the regional economy.

The Ikirun–Ogbomoso route serves several agricultural communities across Osun and Oyo states and provides an important link for the transportation of farm produce, people and commercial goods.

For the affected communities, the completion of the abandoned bridge and reconstruction of the road remain critical to unlocking the economic potential of the area and improving connectivity among communities across the region.