President Bola Tinubu has been appealed to to complete the bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River in Osun State and to reconstruct the Ikirun–Ogbomoso road to boost the economy of Osun, Oyo and Kwara states.
The Elende of Eko-Ende, Oba Abdulwaheed Babatunde Adekunle, made the appeal while inspecting an abandoned bridge over the Eko-Ende/Ilie River.
The monarch pleaded with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun Central Senatorial District, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke, SAN, and other APC candidates for the 2027 elections, to make the demand of the people of the affected areas known to President Tinubu.
Adegoke, who was on a consultation visit to Eko-Ende, along with APC candidate for Ifelodun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Dr Mulikat Jimoh, pledged to take the infrastructure challenges facing the communities along the Ikirun–Ogbomoso corridor to President Tinubu.
The affected communities include Eko-Ende, Ore, Ilie, Iregba and Iresa, among others, with residents relying heavily on the road for the movement of people, farm produce and goods.
The bridge, initiated during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was intended to improve connectivity between communities in Osun and Oyo states.
Its abandonment has, however, left the route in poor condition and created difficulties for communities and businesses that depend on the corridor.
Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, Oba Adekunle appealed to Adegoke to use his access to the Federal Government to seek the completion of the bridge, and the reconstruction and expansion of the road.
“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.
The monarch also expressed support for President Tinubu, adding that the communities would continue to mobilise support for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Responding, Adegoke promised to take the concerns directly to the Presidency. “We will do the needful as soon as possible,” he assured the communities.
Adegoke also commended the Tinubu administration for infrastructure projects across Osun State, expressing confidence that the President would recognise the importance of the road and bridge to the communities and wider regional economy.
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