By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

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Residents and motorists in Ondo City, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State, have expressed deep concern over the worsening condition of several inter-city roads, calling on the council chairman, Ayotunde Akinfolarin and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene.

A visit to the area by Weekend Hope revealed that major roads within the city, including a section of General Hospital Road, Odosida Road, and Fagun Road leading to the local government secretariat, are in deplorable condition.

Also affected are Sabo, Ayeyemi and Town Hall roads, among others, which are riddled with deep potholes, making vehicular movement extremely difficult and hazardous.

Motorists lamented that the roads become even more dangerous whenever it rains, as the potholes get filled with water, making it impossible for drivers to determine their depth, thereby increasing the risk of accidents and vehicle damage.

Though some form of palliative work had been carried out on a few portion of the affected roads, where sand and stones were used to fill the potholes, residents said such efforts were inadequate and have not provided lasting relief.

Speaking with Weekend Hope, a commercial driver, Mr. Adeniyi Olawale, said motorists are worst hit by the deplorable condition of the roads and called on the local government and relevant authorities to act fast.

“The major help motorists and residents need in this community is for the government to fix the roads. They just cut some sections to give the impression that work would begin, but nothing followed. These inter-city roads have damaged many vehicles and led to accidents that caused the loss of lives. We have been complaining for a long time, but nothing significant has been done,” he stated.

Also speaking, a tricycle rider, simply identified as Adekunle, said the situation gets worse during heavy rainfall.

“The inter-city roads are usually impassable when it rains. I can recount several accidents that have occurred due to these bad roads. What is more painful is that despite numerous letters and complaints from residents to the local government, nothing has changed,” he said.

A resident, Mrs. Caroline Awolope, narrated how the bad state of the road almost claimed her life and left her with a permanent scar.

She said: “I don’t often drive, but whenever I use a motorcycle, the experience is terrible. The potholes on the roads are too many and the situation gets worse by the day.

The residents jointly called on the local government chairman, Ayotunde Akinfolarin; Federal and State lawmakers representing the area; and corporate organisations to assist in rehabilitating the roads to alleviate the suffering of road users.