Ekiti Regent, Ondo residents decry deplorable roads

By Dayo Johnson & Rotimi Ojomoyela

ADO-EKITI — THE regent of Aramoko-Ekiti, Princess Sherifat Owolabi, yesterday, urged the Ekiti State government to rehabilitate the deplorable road network in the town.

Addressing journalists in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state, the regent noted that the deplorable road network has been a major challenge for the town in boosting its economy, saying a good road network not only bolsters the resources of the town but also attract investors to the ancient vicinity.

Owolabi stated this just after the second-in-command to Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti, the Asao of Aramoko Kingdom, Chief Diran Adebayo, officially announced the death of the paramount ruler of the town, Oba Olu Adeyemi, who died on August 9, 2025.

She called on well-meaning sons and daughters of the town to come home and invest in the Aramoko, saying such action would put the town on the map of Nigeria.

The regent said: “When I got here, we asked for a University and the Government has approved it. We still need an estate; our government should also fix the deplorable road network of our town. The government should help us.”

Ondo residents decry abandoned road project

Meanwhile, residents of the Ijoka community in Akure, Ondo State, yesterday, staged a protest over the abandoning of the road flagged off by the late governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu in 2018.

Work had stopped on the road since the former governor died in December 2023.

The protesters, who chanted solidarity songs and demanded immediate government intervention, decried the deplorable conditions of the road.

The protest, which started as early as 7 am, escalated into a full-blown blockade as residents used logs of wood, tyres, and stones to obstruct movement, forcing hundreds of commuters to abandon their vehicles.

Within a few hours, the gridlock stretched from Ijoka to other adjoining areas such as Oda Road, Ilesa Garage, and Oluwatuyi.

The protesters displayed various placards with inscriptions such as ‘Fix Ijoka road, save our lives,’ ‘No more promises, ‘We need action,’ ‘We deserve good roads too’, ‘Complete Akeredolu’s projects’, ‘We’ve been forgotten since Akeredolu died’.

Commercial drivers and traders, who joined the protest, said their patience had been stretched to the limit and accused the state government of prioritising projects in other areas while neglecting major roads in Akure’s inner communities.

Speaking with journalists, the spokesperson of the protesters, Mr Dele Akinola, said the action became inevitable after years of neglect and broken promises by successive administrations.

Akinola said: “The Ijoka road connects several high-density communities to the Akure city center and is among the strategic roads earmarked for rehabilitation under the Urban Renewal Initiative of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration.

“The contractors began work on some sections between 2022 and early 2023, but left the site after the governor’s death, saying the road had deteriorated to an unbearable state.

“It’s painful that the road was a priority for the late governor. He came here himself and promised it would be completed. After his passing, it’s as if the government forgot we exist. The partial work done has already begun to deteriorate due to erosion and lack of maintenance.

“Every rainy season, this road becomes a river. Cars break down daily, tricycles tip over, and people get injured. We have written petitions, made appeals, and even met with government officials, but nothing tangible has been done.”

This protest is not political; we only want a motorable road. That’s all we’re asking for.”

Also speaking, a community leader, Chief Kayode Ogunleye, tasked Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to honour Akeredolu’s legacy by completing the abandoned project.

Ogunleye said: “Finishing this road would be the best way to respect the memory of his predecessor and ease the suffering of thousands of Akure residents. Transport fares have skyrocketed, goods are delayed in transit, and road accidents have become frequent.”

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Gbenga Fasua, urged the residents to remain calm.

Fasua said: “We understand your frustration, and the government is not turning a blind eye. Work on Ijoka Road will commence shortly. I appeal to all residents to cooperate and be patient while the authorities put measures in place to fix this road once and for all.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the State Commissioner for Works proved abortive, but a senior official in the Ministry, however, assured that plans were underway for the rehabilitation of the road.

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