Worried by the unbearable condition of roads in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State, particularly the failed portions of Ipele-Idoani-Isua Akoko and Omelege-Elegbeka-Ifon roads, where some lives have been wasted by bandits who seized the advantage of the deplorable situation to perpetrate evil acts, indigenes of the area have called on the state government to save their souls; SUNSHINETRUTH can report
In a Save Our Souls message addressed to the Governor, Arakunrin Rotomi Akeredolu through an advocacy group under the aegis of Ose Concerned Citizens, the people of the area described the situation as very worrisome and one that needs urgent attention.
In a message signed by the Convener of the Advocacy Group, Bode Alegbe, travelling through Ita-Ipele- Idoani, Omelege/Elegbeka-Ifon Road has become a very harrowing experience.
It says: “Before one can embark on a journey from Ifon to Owo and Idoani to Ita-Ipele you have to summon a lot of courage because the trip is now a very rough and tough one.
“The road has been abandoned and have suffered innumerable failed portions where vehicles get stocked routinely. Travelling through this road has always been a very painful experience.
“The problem is escalating by the day and now seem to be totally out of control. Kidnapping incidents have become a recurring phenomenon that threatens the well-being of our people on this particular roads.
“The deplorable state of the road in the last few months occasioned by the huge number of heavy duty trucks that are now plying the road has now made traveling on the road a nightmare for commuters as they are made to go through hell on the road and it appears there’s no immediate plan by the Federal Government to rehabilitate this road.
“It is on this note that, we are appealing to your Excellency on behalf of Citizens of Ose Local Government that as a matter of urgency to wade into this matter so that the special intervention programme undertaken can be extended to the roads for the rehabilitation of the numerous failed portions on some major roads in Ose Local Government areas, so as to assuage the pains of our people and also ensure that the situation of the road does not negatively impact on the people’s livelihood”.
It would be recalled that the Late Monarch of Ifon the headquarters of Ose Local Government, Oba Adegoke Adeusi, was waylaid on his way to Ifon at Elegbeka axis by unknown assailants and killed.
Also, for over two months now, the former Chairman of the local government and younger brother to the House of Representatives member representing Ose/Owo constituency, Bola Adelegbe was kidnapped on his way to his hometown Okeluse and his whereabouts yet to be known till today. Many of such incidents have happened on these roads.
Meanwhile, the member representing Ose constituency at the Ondo state House of Assembly, Chief Olatunji Oshati (Maxima) has called the attention of the state government to the situation.
As reported by his Media team, the lawmaker was said to have mentioned this at the parliamentary meeting of the House.
He lamented the poor state of Elegbeka-Ifon, Ipele-Idoani and Afo-idoani road networks, which he described as not only deplorable, but also precarious, debilitating and had now become a death trap to commuters plying these roads.
Hon. Oshati Olatunji recounted the numerous incidents of kidnappings, maimings and wanton loss of lives and means of livelihood on that road. He lamented that the dwellers of these communities who are predominantly farmers could no longer access their farmlands anymore thereby making life difficult for them.
He pleaded for an urgent intervention works to be done on the roads so as to palliate and remedy the situation before it gets out of hands as the people are gradually running out of patience and seemingly helpless.
Responding, the sSeaker Ondo state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji who noted that most of the roads are federal roads, however sympathised with the people of Ose local government and immediately called on the state Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing as well as FERMA to urgently proffer temporary solutions to the problem.
The Speaker was reported to have, therefore, scheduled an emergency meeting with the Commissioner at his office.
Oladiji appealed to the people of Ose constituency to remain calm and exercise a little more patience with the state government.
