By Michael Ofulue

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Motorists plying the Akure/Owo/Akoko roads are groaning over the deplorable condition of the major road in Ogbese town which has been witnessing heavy traffic jam.
Our correspondent who visited Ogbese observed that the gridlock was caused by the collapsed portion of the road which is gradually becoming a death trap.
The Hope Metro noticed a particular section of the Federal road had completely cuff off, leaving a deep pothole on the road, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic.
Many vehicles were seen trapped in the bad portions of the road, thereby making motorists to spend several hours on the road.
Reports had it that the diversion of traffic to Ogbese town roads could not even ease the gridlock, hence some travellers sleep over in the town.
A section of stranded travellers who spoke with The Hope Metro, called on the state and federal governments to urgently repair the road before it got out of control.
Some of the road users who are working in Owo and Akoko areas as well as Lagos/Abuja passengers called on the federal government the state government to find a lasting solution to the collapsed portions of the federal highway.
Also, along Akure-Ado Ekiti road many portions of the road have cut off, while some portions of Owo/ Ifon -Benin city highway have also collapsed.
Travellers and residents are now stranded in Akoko area of Ondo State due to the deplorable condition of the major roads that link the area with Abuja route and Southwest states.
It was further gathered that residents are lamenting the poor state of Isua-Ifira-Idoani road, Arigidi-Erusu- Ikaram- Ajowa roads, as well as Iboropa-Ise-Auga-Akunnu Akoko road to Kabba in Kogi State and Ibilo in Edo State, where many heavy duty vehicles had broken down.
Speaking with The Hope Metro in an interview, Dr Rahman suggested that residents of the affected communities should raise funds for repair of the road through direct Labour.
He added that they should, thereafter levy each motorists plying the road to a minimum of N200 and issue tickets on such payment.
Abubakri, a former Head of Department of Mass Communication in Rufus Giwa Polythenic, the Owo (RUGIPO), also advised the state government to quickly attend to the affected portions, and saying it is one of government’s social responsibility.
“But if the state is too broke to fix the roads, it should source for fund from a bank to finance the repairs, and later tax each motorist plying the road to a minimum of N100 per trip. That will be better than keeping silent while thousands of travellers bear the inconveniences.”
Meanwhile, the affected people have appealed to Ondo State and the Federal Government to repair the failed portions of the road.

The travellers and the motorists who questioned the existence of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Ondo State, therefore appealed to the federal government to mobilise contractors to Akure-Ado-Ekiti road immediately so as to save the socio-economic activities of the people.