Osun Govt Charges Communities On Usage, Maintenance of RAAMP’s Newly Constructed Roads
The Osun State Government has called on rural communities to take ownership of newly constructed roads under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), urging traditional rulers and local residents to ensure their proper usage, safety, and long-term maintenance.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ awareness campaign on Thursday at Methodist High School, Aagba, the Project Coordinator of RAAMP in Osun, Engr. P. R. Okediya, emphasized the importance of community involvement in preserving the quality of rural infrastructure once completed.
“The road belongs to us all, and we must work hard to protect and maintain it,” Okediya said, addressing traditional rulers, local leaders and residents present at the event. “Once the project is completed, the responsibility for managing and maintaining the road will be handed over to the communities.”
According to the coordinator, the road project is designed as a low-volume road to facilitate the movement of rural dwellers, particularly in transporting farm produce to the market. He explained that the road will reduce transportation costs, travel time, and the influence of middlemen, thereby improving social interaction and rural livelihoods.
However, Okediya noted some damaging practices already observed during implementation. These include the blocking of drains, dumping of farm produce on the road, over-speeding, and the use of heavy-duty vehicles not suitable for such roads. He warned that if such attitudes persist, the lifespan of the road will be drastically shortened.
In response, the state government has approved the erection of crossbars to restrict the use of heavy vehicles and protect the road’s integrity.
Also speaking at the event, RAAMP Engr. Ademola Kehinde Babalola emphasized the importance of road safety in rural areas. “We’ve met with the governor and taken approval on these roads,” he said. “What we have in the rural areas isn’t as strong as highways, and that’s why we must talk about how to manage and use these roads wisely. Some people once said it was a waste of funds, but we’re here to prove them wrong by ensuring proper usage and safety.”
In his own speech, the Chief Security Focus Person (CSFP) of RAAMP, Alhaji Suwaib Ibiyemi also a resident of Aagba, commended the project and urged residents to take collective responsibility. “I congratulate us for this great opportunity. I’m also one of you because we all own this road,” he said.
“Let’s ensure it lasts. My message is mainly for drivers, bikemen, and youths; please let’s play safe. We don’t want the road destroyed once the workers leave. Those who constructed it should be proud, not disappointed.”
Also, the development Communications Specialist , Prince Adedokun James Oladoja lent his voice to the call for responsible usage. “Development does not end at project completion; it begins with how communities engage with it,” he said.
“This road is more than a route, it is a lifeline for farmers, traders, students, and families. Let’s protect it like we would protect our farmlands or marketplaces.”
The event, attended by some royal fathers and stakeholders from communities along the road corridor, aimed to foster a shared sense of ownership and commitment toward preserving the benefits of the infrastructure project.
