Osun State Governor, His Excellency Senator Ademola Adeleke, has ordered an immediate and comprehensive review of an ongoing 4.76-kilometre road project in Aduramigba, Ido-Osun, following strong backlash from residents who protested against what they described as substandard construction work.
The Governor’s directive was made public on Saturday, May 18, 2025, a day after residents of the Aduramigba community staged a peaceful protest to draw attention to the deteriorating quality of the newly constructed road and the potential risks posed to adjoining communities.
Community Outrage Over Shoddy Work
On Friday, May 17, dozens of Aduramigba residents took to the streets, holding placards with messages like “We say no to no drainage and stone base road,” and “Don’t cause quick pain for six communities.” The protest was peaceful but highlighted deep concerns over the project’s structural integrity and the potential environmental hazards it may cause.
The community’s chairman, Sunday Ogundele, who addressed the demonstrators, criticized the quality of work carried out by the contractor. He noted that parts of the road had already begun to fail due to inadequate materials and poor workmanship.
“The quality of this road is so poor,” Ogundele said. “They started tarring on Sunday and Monday, but rainfall on Thursday washed away the asphalt in some portions. How can a road that hasn’t even been completed start breaking apart with just one rainfall?”
He further expressed fears that without proper drainage and a solid foundation, the road would not withstand the upcoming rainy season, potentially putting lives and properties at risk.
Governor Adeleke Responds Swiftly
In a prompt response to the protest, Governor Adeleke dispatched a high-level delegation to Aduramigba to assess the situation. The team included officials from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rural Development, and representatives from the Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O-RAMP).
A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Saturday confirmed the visit and revealed that Adeleke had directed a total review of the project.
“Governor Adeleke has mandated a comprehensive review of the 4.76-kilometre road in Aduramigba, Ido-Osun,” the statement read. “The inspection team met with local residents, assessed the current state of the road, and conveyed the Governor’s instruction for immediate corrective action in line with global best practices.”
The statement added that the team was already in touch with the contractor responsible for the project and that full technical reports were being compiled for submission to the Governor by Monday.
“The Governor takes this matter seriously and has promised that every necessary step will be taken to ensure the road is delivered in a standard that will serve the community effectively and sustainably,” Rasheed said.
Focus on Community Welfare
According to Rasheed, Governor Adeleke’s administration remains committed to the welfare of all Osun citizens and will not tolerate subpar infrastructural projects under any guise.
“Beyond the review and remedial work, Governor Adeleke is also looking into other pressing infrastructural needs in the community to ensure holistic development,” he said.
The governor’s intervention has been widely applauded by many in the community, who now hope that the road, which connects six local communities, will be rebuilt to standard and with proper drainage to prevent flooding and erosion.
Broader Implications for Osun’s Infrastructure
The Aduramigba road protest underscores a growing demand for accountability in public infrastructure delivery in Osun State. Several community-based groups have praised Governor Adeleke for listening to the voices of the people and acting swiftly.
A member of the local youth association, Tunde Fagbamila, told reporters on Saturday that the Governor’s intervention could serve as a deterrent to contractors who may otherwise be tempted to cut corners.
“We thank Governor Adeleke for his quick response. It shows he is a listening leader. We just want the road to be done properly. This road connects us to health centres, markets, and schools. It’s our lifeline,” Fagbamila said.
Other residents emphasized that beyond the aesthetics of new tar, the structural longevity of the road must be prioritized.
“What’s the point of a new road if it’s going to be washed away in a few months?” asked Mrs. Foluke Adeyemi, a local trader. “We want this road to be fixed properly and with drainage that will last, not patch-patch work.”
Calls for Project Transparency and Oversight
Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Osun have called for improved transparency and oversight in the awarding and execution of infrastructure contracts. The incident in Aduramigba, they argue, is not isolated but part of a broader issue of monitoring and evaluation in public projects.
Speaking on the development, Comrade Ganiyu Ajibola, of the Osun Good Governance Forum, urged the state government to publish details of contractors handling road projects across the state.
“There needs to be full transparency on who is building our roads and what benchmarks are being used to measure progress and quality. We commend Governor Adeleke’s swift action, but preventive monitoring is always better than corrective measures,” Ajibola said.
What Happens Next?
As the Monday deadline approaches, all eyes are now on the report expected from the government team sent to Aduramigba. Based on that report, Governor Adeleke is expected to announce further corrective steps — which may include terminating the contract, reassigning it to a new contractor, or issuing stern sanctions.
Insiders at the Ministry of Works disclosed that the contractor in question has been summoned for questioning and may face penalties if found guilty of delivering substandard work or deviating from approved specifications.
Conclusion
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s prompt reaction to the outcry in Aduramigba is seen by many as a positive sign of responsive governance in Osun State. With the Governor taking a personal interest in ensuring project quality, communities are beginning to feel heard and protected.
Still, this episode is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability, proactive monitoring, and rigorous project evaluation, especially when public funds and the safety of citizens are at stake.
As the state awaits the Governor’s final decision, residents of Aduramigba and other nearby communities remain hopeful that their voices will continue to matter — and that their road will finally be built to last.
