LAUTECH Students Protest Poor Road Conditions
Students in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, took to the streets on Saturday to protest the deplorable state of the Ogbomoso Road, citing the frequent tragic accidents that have claimed lives.
The demonstrators, led by the National Association of University Students (NAUS) and Ogbomoso Indigenous Associations, condemned the loss of lives due to the road’s poor condition, calling it an act of negligence they equated to “murder.”
Speaking at the protest, which took place at the Saki Roundabout in Ogbomoso, Comrade Tiamiyu Olayinka, the Vice President of NAUS, stated that the ongoing fatalities are not merely accidents but preventable deaths caused by government inaction.
Olayinka said, “The lives lost on this road are not accidents; they are murders. This road has been a lifeline for commuters for years, connecting the North and Southwest. Yet, it remains one of the most neglected, causing daily tragedies due to its poor state.”
He further emphasized that despite the road’s strategic importance, a 5-kilometer section of an alternative route remains unfinished, leaving motorists with no choice but to navigate through the heart of Ogbomoso town, which has also taken a toll on residents and businesses.
Olayinka added, “Ogbomoso is home to one of the largest universities of technology in the country, LAUTECH, and our students are in danger every day. They leave home not knowing if they will return safely due to the reckless negligence of the authorities.”
The protesters demanded immediate action from the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to complete the Ibadan-Ogbomoso Road project and repair the existing road to prevent further loss of life. Failure to address these concerns within 30 days, they warned, would lead to mass protests and the complete shutdown of economic activities in the area.
“We will not rest until the government fulfills its duty to protect the lives of Ogbomoso’s residents and commuters,” Olayinka declared.
