Expert laments deplorable Ekiti federal roads

Map of Ekiti State. Photo: The Sun

A development expert and Chief Executive Officer of Global Development Initiative, Michael Ale, has lamented the deplorable state of federal roads in Ekiti State, saying the situation is causing hardship for motorists and adversely affecting the livelihoods of residents.

Ale, who spoke particularly about the Ado-Ifaki-Abuja axis, which links the South-West to the Federal Capital Territory through Kogi State, said communities including Ayegbaju, Oye and Ilupeju were groaning under the effects of traffic gridlock and incessant accidents caused by the poor condition of the road.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, Ale called on the Federal Government to urgently address the recurrent gridlock caused by the deplorable condition of the road.

He said, “A very good road network is needed for viable commercial and development activities to thrive. The road network involved here links the West and Eastern parts of the country to the FCT and provides the route for many commercial vehicles and goods-conveying trucks to ply. It is a very important road axis that must be well taken care of.”

Ale’s statement followed commuters’ “painful and traumatic” experience on Wednesday when a truck fell on the road at the Ifaki-Ayegbaju axis, causing a gridlock and hours of delay on the road leading to the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

The axis recently experienced another severe gridlock after trucks were stranded for weeks because of huge potholes caused by erosion on the Oye-Ilupeju section.

Following the development, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, visited the area and promised that the Federal Government would review the funding arrangement for the contractor and ensure adequate mobilisation for a return to site.

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However, Ale said continued neglect of the road would hamper development in Nigeria, given the importance of the route.

He said, “The continued deplorable condition of that road will further destroy its economic viability and potential for our dear country, and this is why, as a development expert, we cannot ignore the deplorable condition that road is in currently.

“We, therefore, appeal to the President to urge the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to take the development and rehabilitation of that axis as an emergency issue which must urgently be addressed and fixed once and for all.

“The President and his team at the Federal Ministry of Works have been doing a great job on the Ibadan-Akure axis, and Nigerians are praying for him over this. He is also doing a wonderful job on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road.

“These are giant strides that will definitely impact our economy greatly and hasten unprecedented and huge development.

“This is why we also urge him to urgently consider the federal roads in Ekiti State, particularly the Ado-Ifaki and Ilupeju axis,” Ale said.