Source:
http://heritageechonews.blogspot.com.ng/2015/06/osoogun-town-abandoned-by-govt-in.html
Saturday, 27 June 2015
Osoogun, a town abandoned by govt in pathetic condition
By Opeyemi Salaudeen
Osoogun, an ancient town in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State has long been abandoned and forgotten by relevant authorities in the state.
Can we say this is so because of the people’s loyalty and support to the government?
This town has no motorable roads, no water and other social amenities.
From Ado-Awaye junction to Osoogun, a distance of about five kilometres or so, it will take about one hour to get there by road. virtually nothing works in the town.
School buildings are not worth looking at. The only health centre there is not equipped. Gardeners are only battling to ensure the health centre is not overgrown by bush. No single personnel to man the Health Centre.
An indigene of the town, while speaking with Heritage Echo in an interview, described the condition of the town as very pathetic.
“Nothing works in Osoogun, all our roads are bad, no potable water, school buildings are falling and the youths are jobless despite the fact that they are well educated.”
The traditional ruler in the ancient town, Baale Moses Adebanji Olalere and another concerned indigene, spoke during the interview with the press in the town.
Baale spoke on the challenges the citizens are facing.
“To begin with, Baale said: “Our roads around here are bad, very bad. From Express road to Sagbole; it is quite horrible. In order to enjoy dividends of democracy, we voted for Governor Ajimobi to ensure his second term in office. Our people are very loyal to both the local government here and the state government, yet there is nothing for us as compensation for our loyalty and support,” he lamented.
“Another problem is that all our schools are in bad shape. There are no teachers in both primary and secondary schools in Osoogun.
“We
need new school buildings. We want the government to renovate Osoogun
main market for us. The market used to be a big and attractive
commercial centre before, but now, it has been deserted as a result of
bad road leading to the town. The structures there are old and weak.
The market was constructed by Iseyin Local Government and the
structures there have been there since early 70s or so,” he added.
The Baale, therefore, pleaded with the local government to come to their aid.
“We need industries too, where youth will be working. There is no steady power supply in Osoogun. Many electric poles have fallen and now begging for attention. We need the support of Iseyin council to construct a befitting modern palace. We have sufficient blocks on ground for the project,” he added.
The Baale reminded the state governor not to forget so soon his electioneer campaign promises to the people in the area.
Baale said the government should compensate the indigenes of Osoogun for their support and loyalty.
Also speaking in the same vein, Hon Akinwumi Yemisi Olubunmi, a concerned indigene of the town, said, the bad nature of road network in the ancient town, has scared the people away.
“We lack good roads here and this is given us a setback economically. The area has been forgotten by the local government. Before, Osoogun Market was popular in Iseyin Local Government but today, no one comes there again as a result of bad roads.
“Traders have deserted the market, taking their commodities and tax Maya in Ibarapa East Local Government.
“We produce vegetables mostly here and these are perishable products. No vehicles will come to evacuate farm produce to the city. So one can imagine the losses our farmers are incurring as a result of bad roads and neglect by the relevant authorities.
“We are good farmers here but we are not making any progress or encouraged. Our people are really suffering. No potable water for us especially during the dry season and no one cares.
“Equally, we need a modern Town Hall where we can meet for social engagement. If not for anything, our governor should because of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther turn his attention to Osoogun for once. It will be appreciated if a campus of Ajayi Crowther University is sited in Osoogun.
“Worst still, the only health centre in the town transferred from Anglican Church to the Local Government has long been abandoned too.
“The centre used to function well before with adequate medical personnel but now Iseyin Local Government only post gardners there to keep the surrounding.
“No modern toilets and boreholes in the area.”
These are some of the major challenges we are facing in this town,” Hon Akinwumi pointed out.
Osoogun, an ancient town in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State has long been abandoned and forgotten by relevant authorities in the state.
Can we say this is so because of the people’s loyalty and support to the government?
This town has no motorable roads, no water and other social amenities.
From Ado-Awaye junction to Osoogun, a distance of about five kilometres or so, it will take about one hour to get there by road. virtually nothing works in the town.
School buildings are not worth looking at. The only health centre there is not equipped. Gardeners are only battling to ensure the health centre is not overgrown by bush. No single personnel to man the Health Centre.
An indigene of the town, while speaking with Heritage Echo in an interview, described the condition of the town as very pathetic.
“Nothing works in Osoogun, all our roads are bad, no potable water, school buildings are falling and the youths are jobless despite the fact that they are well educated.”
The traditional ruler in the ancient town, Baale Moses Adebanji Olalere and another concerned indigene, spoke during the interview with the press in the town.
Baale spoke on the challenges the citizens are facing.
“To begin with, Baale said: “Our roads around here are bad, very bad. From Express road to Sagbole; it is quite horrible. In order to enjoy dividends of democracy, we voted for Governor Ajimobi to ensure his second term in office. Our people are very loyal to both the local government here and the state government, yet there is nothing for us as compensation for our loyalty and support,” he lamented.
“Another problem is that all our schools are in bad shape. There are no teachers in both primary and secondary schools in Osoogun.
“We
need new school buildings. We want the government to renovate Osoogun
main market for us. The market used to be a big and attractive
commercial centre before, but now, it has been deserted as a result of
bad road leading to the town. The structures there are old and weak.
The market was constructed by Iseyin Local Government and the
structures there have been there since early 70s or so,” he added.The Baale, therefore, pleaded with the local government to come to their aid.
“We need industries too, where youth will be working. There is no steady power supply in Osoogun. Many electric poles have fallen and now begging for attention. We need the support of Iseyin council to construct a befitting modern palace. We have sufficient blocks on ground for the project,” he added.
The Baale reminded the state governor not to forget so soon his electioneer campaign promises to the people in the area.
Baale said the government should compensate the indigenes of Osoogun for their support and loyalty.
Also speaking in the same vein, Hon Akinwumi Yemisi Olubunmi, a concerned indigene of the town, said, the bad nature of road network in the ancient town, has scared the people away.
“We lack good roads here and this is given us a setback economically. The area has been forgotten by the local government. Before, Osoogun Market was popular in Iseyin Local Government but today, no one comes there again as a result of bad roads.
“Traders have deserted the market, taking their commodities and tax Maya in Ibarapa East Local Government.
“We produce vegetables mostly here and these are perishable products. No vehicles will come to evacuate farm produce to the city. So one can imagine the losses our farmers are incurring as a result of bad roads and neglect by the relevant authorities.
“We are good farmers here but we are not making any progress or encouraged. Our people are really suffering. No potable water for us especially during the dry season and no one cares.
“Equally, we need a modern Town Hall where we can meet for social engagement. If not for anything, our governor should because of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther turn his attention to Osoogun for once. It will be appreciated if a campus of Ajayi Crowther University is sited in Osoogun.
“Worst still, the only health centre in the town transferred from Anglican Church to the Local Government has long been abandoned too.
“The centre used to function well before with adequate medical personnel but now Iseyin Local Government only post gardners there to keep the surrounding.
“No modern toilets and boreholes in the area.”
These are some of the major challenges we are facing in this town,” Hon Akinwumi pointed out.
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