Motorists plying the Irun–Imesi Road in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of Ondo State, have raised concerns over the deteriorating condition of the road.
The road users described the situation as a humanitarian and economic crisis requiring urgent intervention from both the federal government and Ondo State government.
They lamented the difficulties faced by motorists, commuters, traders and residents who use the route.
Some of them said what was expected to be a routine journey through the road often turned into several hours of frustration with vehicular movement brought to a standstill due to the poor condition of the road.
Speaking on his experience, Thomas Kahinde, Director of Operations, War Against Corruption Initiative International (WACI) said he was forced to leave his vehicle to investigate the cause of the prolonged gridlock, where he discovered that the road had remained in a deplorable state for an extended period.
According to him, interactions with residents, transport operators and other road users revealed that although the road project had reportedly been awarded, the contractor handling the project had not been adequately mobilised to commence substantial work.
He lamented that commercial buses, private vehicles and trucks conveying goods had been left stranded for hours, leaving passengers exhausted and uncertain about when they would reach their destinations.
Kahinde noted that the impact of the failed road infrastructure goes beyond travel delays, as businesses suffer losses from delayed deliveries, increased transportation costs and vehicle damage.
He added that farmers also face challenges transporting their produce to markets, while emergency cases involving patients, pregnant women and other vulnerable persons could be worsened by difficulties accessing the route.
“The suffering on this road is unimaginable until one experiences it firsthand.
“Spending several hours on a single stretch of road is unacceptable in a country striving for economic growth and improved infrastructure.
“Every minute lost on this road translates to lost productivity, wasted resources and unnecessary hardship for citizens,” he stated.
A commercial driver, who identified himself Kunle Ojugo, appealed to the Federal Government, Ondo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel, and the Minister of Interior to urgently intervene in fixing the road.
He noted that rehabilitating the road would boost economic activities, enhance security, facilitate movement of goods and restore public confidence in governance.
A stranded commuter, Paul Donald,urged relevant authorities to address all issues delaying the contractor’s mobilisation to the road towards ensuring its early completion.
