In Ibadan, Oyo State, the collapse of the bridge on Egberi River in Olodo has resulted in landlords abandoning their homes in search of rented apartments, exacerbating the hardship faced by residents.
Mr. Sola Ademola, a civil servant, and his family recently moved from their rented apartment in Yemetu to their own residence in Adeleye, relieving them of the burden of paying rent. However, the bridge collapse has presented them with a new challenge.
Various communities including Olodo, Oke Omin, Aba Odo, Odan, Agandi, Kumapayi, Adeleye, Lalupon, Ejioku, Offa Metta, Olagbaye, Oloro, Olubodun, Alaran, Opelade, Baale, Edun, and Solaloju have been affected, as well as travelers from Iwo, Osogbo, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and Ejigbo.
The Oyo State government has closed the bridge and provided an alternative route. The Commissioner for Works, Public Infrastructure, and Transport, Professor Daud Kehinde Shangodoyin, visited the route and announced repair works to ease the hardship caused by the closure. However, pedestrians and commuters have voiced their frustrations over the slow progress of the work and the deteriorating condition of the alternative road.
Traders, on the other hand, have taken advantage of the situation by relocating their businesses to the bridge site, while many landlords have abandoned their homes for rented apartments due to the unbearable conditions.
Community leaders have appealed to the Oyo State government for assistance, expressing concerns about the poor state of the alternative road and the slow pace of construction on the new bridge. Unfortunately, there has been no response from the state government so far.