Alagbon Odetunde community says new Kosubosu-Kaiama-Bode Saadu road opens up isolated area for trade and agriculture

Residents of Alagbon Odetunde, a rural community near Bode Saadu in the Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State, have called on investors to take advantage of the newly completed Kosubosu-Kaiama-Bode Saadu road project, which links their area to neighbouring settlements.

For many years, the community lived in isolation, relying on only narrow pathways connecting homes to farmlands. This lack of infrastructure meant commercial activities were minimal, and harvested crops were often wasted due to the absence of access roads.

Residents are now saying the new road has renewed hope for development and has positioned the community as a potential hub for trade and agriculture in the Bode Saadu axis.

Daily Trust reports that the road is currently being constructed by BUA Group under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme (RITC), a Federal Government initiative that allows private companies to finance public projects in exchange for tax credits.

The 130-kilometre road project, which links several communities across Kwara North, has been described as a strategic public-private partnership aimed at accelerating infrastructure development.

Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq has praised BUA and the federal government for the initiative and the huge economic opportunities it will attract to the state.

The community head, Alhaji Ahmadu Ayinde, who spoke with journalists during a media tour of the area, said life had greatly improved since the construction began.

"Before now, cars rarely passed through our community because there were only footpaths," he said.

The septuagenarian however, noted that "since the state government started the road project, we now see more vehicles and economic activities are picking up."

Ayinde noted that farmers could now transport their produce to markets more easily, boosting local trade and improving livelihoods.

"We thank the state government and our Governor for this intervention. We are now appealing to investors to come and explore the economic potential of these roads which have opened access to our fertile lands and other natural resources. Above all, we have a very peaceful environment", he said.

A trader, Mrs Kudirat Abdulfatai, who has lived in the community for about a decade, said the project had transformed their lives and reduced transportation costs.

"Before the road was built, we paid as much as one thousand naira to go to the market. Now, the fare has dropped to five hundred naira for a round trip," she said.

She added that the improved access had also helped to tackle pest invasion.

"In the past, reptiles and other dangerous animals entered our homes because the environment was bushy and inaccessible. Since the construction reached our area, our surroundings are cleaner and safer, which will further unlock the community's economic potential", she added.

The community youth leader, Mr Sulaiman Odetunde, for his part, thanked the government for the project and appealed to private investors to establish businesses in the area.

"We now have good road access and vast land available for investment. We welcome commercial, industrial and educational projects that can provide our youth with opportunities for education and empowerment both locally and internationally."