Residents Petition FG Over Worsening Oju-Ore Gridlock, Demand Immediate Fix of Alternative |Omohglobalnews ... Group submits petition with 1,127 signatures, urges rehabilitation of seven alternative routes

from L-R Ibikunoluwa Afariogun representing AFED, Alhaji Akeem Adeyinka Aremu, representing the Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal CDC;  Comrade Olajumoke Odeyemi, Chairperson Ado-Odo Ota Civil Society Group on Road Infrastructure,   Engr. Anyanwu Febian, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ota Branch; and Comrade Jaiyesimi Olajide, of the Ota Sub- road monitoring. 

Ota, Ogun State – September 6, 2025
Residents of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area have petitioned the Federal Government over the crippling traffic crisis at Oju-Ore, blaming the ongoing flyover construction for worsening gridlock that has grounded daily life in the industrial hub.

The petition, endorsed by 1,127 citizens, described the situation as “unbearable,” noting that poor project management has led to endless traffic jams, frequent accidents, restricted movement of goods and services, and rising economic and health costs.

At a press conference on Saturday, held at the African Foundation for Environment and Development (AFED) office in Ota, the Ado-Odo/Ota Citizens Engagement Platform announced that it had submitted the petition to the Minister of Works, calling for urgent intervention to ease the hardship faced by commuters, traders, and residents.

While acknowledging that the flyover would bring long-term relief, the group stressed that immediate measures were necessary to prevent further suffering. They demanded the rehabilitation of seven alternative routes to serve as bypasses and reduce pressure on the Oju-Ore axis.

The listed routes include:

• Iya-Ijebu Junction through Afobaje to Obasanjo Road
• Papa-Aro to Itele Road Corridor
• All-for-God Road linking Ahmadiyya Road via Papa-Aro
• Babyo Bus Stop Link Road to Jendol through Ilogbo Road
• Access Road beside Grocery Bazaar (GB) connecting Papa-Aro Road
• Oloko–Onimalu Road linking Ilogbo Road
• Borehole Ilogbo Road through Martins/Salvation Estate to Idiroko Road via Mobil/Ambassadors School

According to the platform, rehabilitating these roads would improve safety, reduce travel times, revive businesses, and prevent Ota’s economy from sliding into paralysis.

Copies of the petition have also been sent to the Ogun State Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the Ogun West Senator, lawmakers representing Ado-Odo/Ota at both state and federal levels, the local government chairman, and the contractor handling the flyover project.

Coordinator of the group, Comrade Olajumoke Odeyemi, said the petition was an act of civic responsibility, not confrontation.
“Our demand is simple: fix the alternative routes to save lives, businesses, and the economy of Ota. Development must not come at the expense of the people,” she declared.

She commended the member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Ado-Odo/Ota Constituency for presenting the petition on the floor of the House. She also hinted that residents were considering a peaceful protest if urgent action was not taken.

The briefing was attended by prominent stakeholders, including Adesola Afariogun, Executive Director of AFED; Ibikunoluwa Afariogun; Alhaji Akeem Adeyinka Aremu, representing the Ado-Odo/Ota Zonal CDC; Engr. Anyanwu Febian, Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ota Branch; and Comrade Jaiyesimi Olajide, of the Ota Sub-Committee on Road Monitoring.

Observers have warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the Oju-Ore gridlock could paralyse economic activities beyond Ota, threatening Ogun State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial corridors and a vital gateway to international trade through the Lagos–Abeokuta–Idiroko axis.

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