By Charles Ayodele.
The people of Odo-Ado in Ado-Ekiti local government area of Ekiti State have expressed their displeasure over the deplorable condition of the access road linking the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
The condition which they said has compounded the already complicated means of livelihood of commuters plying the road on a daily basis.
A community leader in the area, High Chief Atoba Ope-Peter, said the road has been in a bad shape over the years, thereby hindering easy access of the road by commuters, especially during the rainy season.
Also, a concerned citizens, Alhaji Gbamila Adeoye appealed to the Federal and State governments to come to their aid as the road serves as the major access road to Abuja and two major institutions in the state.
According to Alhaji Adeoye, “It’s very unfortunate that every year we do have this kind of thing happening here. I know the government have a lot to do but then this is a special season when every part of the city is facing this kind of erosion.
He also called the attention of concerned authorities to Ilaro road around Odo Ado, saying the condition of the access road was worrisome.
“This is a federal road indeed but we could all see what is happening now that without mincing words, we discover that what is happening is terrible and we are calling both the federal and state governments to come to our aid and fix this road.
“There is no any other corner, no any other way. If someone is going to Abuja, this is the only road to Abuja. Apart from that, we have two major institutions here; the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti and Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti. This is the major road to those institutions. A lot of people reside here. Motorists normally spent many hours on the spot.
“We need quick government intervention so that they can fix this road for us. We need a standby security agent to be diverting traffic so that there will be no more casualty. I pray that the government will come quickly and do something.
“We understand that Governor Biodun Oyebanji has a lot to do but at the same time, this kind of thing needs immediate intervention. We want the government to come to our aid and fix the road for us.”
A trader, Mrs Victoria Ademola, said the poor condition of the road has affected businesses negatively as well as brought untold hardship on the people.
In her word, “The road is very bad. There is no way for people to pass, no way for vehicle. The road is very bad. Government should come and help us to fix it.”
However, some motorists and travellers are expectant that the harrowing experience on the road will be a thing of the past.
In a related development, the people of Itamo and Itaeku in Igirigiri area of the town are also calling on the State government to urgently look into their plight by assisting them to construct a good drainage system, repair the roads around the area as they said they hardly find a way to come out anytime there’s heavy downpour. Adding that some residents of the area who could no longer cope with the situation had already moved out of the area.
