INVESTIGATION: A Road to Oblivion: The Stalled Oloje-Balode Link Project in Kwara State

By: Abdulhafeez Oyewole

The journey to uncover the truth behind the stalled Oloje-Balode Link Road project began in May. For this journalist, it was a long and arduous one, mirroring the frustrations of the Abimbola Community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State. What was once a beacon of hope has turned into a haunting reminder of unfulfilled promises!

The 1.06 km stretch of road, initiated in the first quarter of 2022, and handled by a construction company: Stefan Jaeger Nig. Ltd, meant to connect the community to opportunity and prosperity, now stands as a symbol of neglect, with its completion stalled since January 2023.

For the residents of this Community, the story of their road is one of dreams deferred, hope betrayed, and a daily struggle against neglect. It is a story that echoes the plight of countless other communities across Nigeria, where government promises often remain unfulfilled, leaving the people to fend for themselves.

Understanding the Project Called Oloje-Linking Balode Road

When the Oloje-Balode Link Road project began in early 2022, the people of Abimbola Community dared to believe in a brighter future. The construction of the road was more than just an infrastructure project; it was a lifeline that promised to bring the community out of isolation, ease access to essential services, and spur economic growth. The excitement was palpable, with community leaders like Mr. Yusuf Ibrahim, the General Secretary, expressing their initial joy.

“The project, named Oloje Linking Balode road, spans 1.06 km. It started in April 2022, and we were very happy because we had written many letters to the ministries of works and environment requesting the road. They accepted our request and brought a contractor to the site. We, the community activists, stood by them to prevent any disturbance or hazards on site” he said, his voice tinged with both pride and frustration.

For the first time in decades, it seemed that the government had finally heard the community’s cries for help. But as quickly as hope arrived, it began to fade.

Mr. Ibrahim continued, “Towards the end of the year, they paused for a while and then returned. The last asphalt was laid on January 5, 2023, covering 500 meters. The remaining 500 meters have been left unattended since then.”

Another community leader and resident, Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf Olatunji, the Vice Chairman of Abimbola Community, corroborated this account. “The contractor started in April 2022 and stopped in January 2023. Out of the one kilometer, only 500 meters have been tarred, leaving the rest untouched.”

He expressed appreciation to the Governor Abdurrahman Abdulrazaq-led administration for approving the road project after decades of appeals. “We have sought government intervention for about 20 years. Governor Abdurrahman Abdulrazaq finally approved the road. We thank him very much.”

Efforts to Have the Contractor Return to the Site

As the months passed and the road remained unfinished, the community’s initial joy turned into concern, and then into anger. Despite repeated efforts to get the contractor back to the site—including press conferences, media appearances, and meetings with the Ministry of Works—the situation remained unchanged. The road, which had once symbolized hope, had become a painful reminder of the community’s powerlessness.

Mr. Ibrahim Yusuf Olatunji, the Vice Chairman of Abimbola Community, voiced the growing frustration. “We’ve done a lot. They say they will come back, but I can tell you that the engineers are saying they are not coming back,” he said, his words reflecting the deep sense of betrayal felt by the entire community.

There were whispers of a conspiracy, with some community members suspecting a behind-the-scenes agreement between the contractor and the ministry. “We tried all our possible best to bring them back to the site. But it was as if the contractor and the ministry had some bargain because we were there in their presence,” Mr. Ibrahim said, a note of bitterness creeping into his voice.

“They are calling the contractor to come back to site and the contractor was telling them that he wouldn’t; he won’t come to site until they give him additional money. So they were trying to convince him that even if they would give him additional money, he had to go back to the site and start doing something. But he insisted.”

He further highlighted the numerous attempts to get the work resumed by the contractor, all of which have been met with disappointment, “We (in the) community, we even summoned a meeting with the contractor that we should sit down and talk amicably if there will be any way out, maybe we could write to the governor or commissioner. So he said he’s not interested. That it will be a big slap on him to sit and do a meeting with us.”

The community’s suspicions of a deeper issue between the contractor and the Ministry of Works are hard to ignore.

The Vice Chairman added, “The ministry officials complained the contractor had collected all their money but refused to return it. They even mentioned forwarding the contractor’s name to the EFCC, but nothing has been done. It seems they have collected something from the engineer.”

Account of the Project’s Document

According to a report by the Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), the contract for the road construction was awarded to Messrs Stefan Jaeger Nig. Ltd at an initial sum of ₦157,893,932, later revised to ₦185,596,504 after a variation request of ₦27,756,572 in 2022.

The approved length of the project was 1.1 km, while the average width was 6.5 meters.

The project is among those executed by the Kwara State Government (KWSG) that ENetSuD is tracking.

When he was then in 2023 contacted to react to the statement of ENetSuD, “the Former Honorable Commissioner for Works, Engr. Rotimi Iliasu, stated that the contract sum of the project was lower than what was obtainable in other states, and it was arrived at to ensure value for public funds.”

The Company: Messrs Stefan Jaeger Nig. Ltd

A search of Stefan Jaeger Nig. Ltd – the company awarded the road construction- on the website of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) using various search options on the Nigeria government’s company registry site did not produce a record of the company.

However, a search on alternative existing Nigerian companies’ information checkers like NG-Check.com revealed that Stefan Jaeger Nigerian Limited was incorporated in Garki II Abuja in February 2009. The company is based in Ilorin, with directors Oshanisi Olatunji and Adebisi Olabode, but its current status is unknown.

Further searches on Directory.org and businesslist.com.ng showed that the private limited enterprise is a renovation and construction Company with headquarters in G.R.A Ilorin. Additionally, the Business list site revealed that the company was registered with it on 3rd of April, 2024.

Road to Nowhere

The impact of the abandoned project extends far beyond mere inconvenience. The half-finished road has become a source of daily hardship for the people of Abimbola Community, especially during the rainy season. The lack of proper drainage has turned the road into a treacherous path, causing significant damage to the area and making travel nearly impossible.

“Whenever it rains, the community suffers due to the lack of drainage and proper roads. Despite the street being motorable, the unfinished part badly affects us,” Mr. Olatunji lamented.

The half-completed road’s waning condition is not just a blight on the landscape; it is a constant reminder of the broken promises that have left the community in limbo. The once-promising project now stands as a testament to neglect, with the existing asphalt slowly wearing away and the unfinished sections worsening with each passing day.

Mr. Ibrahim buttressed, “The existing asphalt is deteriorating, and the remaining unlaid part is worsening. We are pleading for the contractor to return and finish the work.”

Implications and Impacts on the Community

The uncompleted road has far-reaching implications for Abimbola Community. Its completion would have eased commuting, opened up new business opportunities and improved access to healthcare. But with the road left in its current state, these benefits remain out of reach.

Mr. Olatunji noted what would have become the immediate benefits of the road completion, “People can move between Oloje and Balode more easily. New shops are springing up due to the road construction. If completed, it will bring economic benefits and improve living conditions.”

The community leader also accentuated the potential impact on the community’s only Primary Healthcare center. “As you can see, this Ogidi West Health Center, that we call Saraki Hospital (but it’s not related to the Saraki family), this road has not gotten to that area. This hospital will be affected when the road is not okay,” he explained, highlighting the urgent need for the road to be completed to ensure the community’s well-being.

The half-completed part of Oloje-Balode Link road in Abimbola Community- photo by Abdulhafeez Oyewole

Community’s Appeal

The people of Abimbola Community are not asking for much—just what was promised to them. They are calling for the contractor to return, for the road to be completed, and for the government to honour its commitment to improving their lives.

“We’ve considered legal action but see everyone as one big family. We hope to resolve this without tarnishing reputations. However, if necessary, we will involve the EFCC,” Mr. Ibrahim said, reflecting the community’s desire for resolution without conflict.

Mr. Olatunji added his voice to the appeal, urging the state government to intervene and bring relief to the community. “We are begging the state government to help us complete the project. It will bring relief and smiles to our people’s faces,” he said, his words filled with a mix of hope and urgency.

The State Government and the Contractor

Attempts to engage with government representatives and the contractor have been met with silence or outright refusal. The officer in charge of the contract at the Kwara State Ministry of Works and Transport picked up this journalist’s call but declined to grant an interview, citing the need for superior approval. The contractor did not respond to calls or interview requests at the time of filing this report.

Also, all efforts by this journalist to engage with the Honourable Commissioner of Works and Transport, Engr. AbdulQuawiy Olododo to give a clarification as to the reason for the delay in the road construction in order to get a better understanding on the abandoned road project was fruitless before the publication of this report. A letter sent for an interview schedule was not responded to. The same as an approval sought through one of the Commissioner’s aides to meet with him was met with a deaf ear.

This silence has only deepened the community’s sense of abandonment. The road, once a symbol of progress, has become a reminder of their isolation and the indifference of those in power.

Policy Analyst/Project Tracker Weigh-In

A policy Analyst, Comrade Lanre Osho of ENetSuD testified to the community’s efforts, including a peaceful protest, to draw the government’s attention.

He warned that erosion could destroy the completed parts of the road, rendering the intervention useless in the long run.

He reiterated ENetSuD’s plans to re-evaluate the project upon completion to ensure the work matches the funds released.

A Final Appeal

The fate of the Oloje-Balode Link Road project remains uncertain, and with it, the future of Abimbola Community hangs in the balance. The people are calling out for justice, for the fulfillment of promises made, and for recognition of their right to a better life. Will their voices be heard, or will this road remain a forgotten path to oblivion?

This story is not just about a road; it is about a community’s fight for dignity, respect, and the chance to thrive. It is a story that demands attention, and it is one that will not be forgotten until justice is served.

This story was produced with support from the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) under the Collaborative Media Engagement for Development Inclusivity and Accountability Project (CMEDIA) funded by the MacArthur Foundation.