OVER a period, residents of Ondo State have been expressing their displeasure over the deplorable condition of some roads within the state most especially as majority of them became worse during the last rainy season.
JUST as it is the nature of the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led administration to be responsive to people’s plights, the State government took note of some of these roads and promised to work on them and get them fixed during the dry season. It is heart-warming and commendable that government has lived up to its promises and most of these roads are now in good shape.
IT is noteworthy to commend the state government for understanding the indispensability of good road network and its attendant contributions to the state’s economy. Roads are very essential to any development plan as they bring about economic and social well-being to the society.
THEY are the channels through which the economy flourishes as they serve as the link between the farm and the market thus connecting sellers of farm produce to their buyers, workers to their various offices, students to schools, and the sick to the hospitals in any given society.
NO doubt, this present administration has adopted a laudable path, with regards to its strategic focus on massive road construction and rehabilitation projects among other lofty agenda, a wave that cuts across virtually all the nooks and crannies of the state.
WE specifically commend Akeredolu for giving Ondo State a new look especially with the completion of roads in Oba-Ile, Araromi, Ijapo Estate (Efon Alaye, and Ojomu Crescents) all in Akure. Others include; the 4.5km Agadagba Obon-New Ajapa road in Ese-Odo Local Government Area; 3.0km; Oke Igbo Township roads; Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government; 16.65km Ikaramu-Akunnu- Chainage 7; and Oke – Agbe road in Akoko Northwest Local Government Area; 1.6km Ikaro Township road in Ose Local Government Area; and rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of 32km Araromi-Alape road in IlajeLocal Government Area;which were all dead traps before government’s intervention.
WE also commend the earlier construction of 2.76 km of selected roads in Idanre; construction of 2.5km GRA dualization road in Owo; Construction of Iwalewa-Alafiatayo, Iwalewa-Oshinle, Iwalewa-Hospital road, Abusoro road, 6.02 km Alagbaka SIB-Appeal Court road, rehabilitation and construction of 5.412km road in Oke Ogba Community, all in Akure and rehabilitation of selected roads in Ose Local Government Area.
ASIDE the developmental outlook of these roads, their economic benefit for users is unquantifiable and a big advantage to the people most especially in terms of availability of more work time, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in tyre wears and incessant vehicle repairs, low accident risk, and greater travelling comfort.
WITHOUT mincing words, the move by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to record substantial development through road projects is unparalleled. This act has brought manifold benefits to the people.
WHILE we commend the state government for its exploits in making Ondo state a pride among other states in the southwest, we call on the governor to expedite action on other yet-to-be completed roads in the state subject to availability of funds.
MOST especially, the government should as a matter of urgency expedite the move for the completion of Ijoka road linking the state capital with the ancient town of Idanre.
THIS will in no small measure boost economic activities in Idanre, a town known for its mass plantation of cocoa and tourism potentials . Moreover, the construction of 7.35-kilometer road of Orita Obele -Ire Akari – OkeOdu – Ipinsa in Akure South local government area of the state should be revisited as work has long stopped on it. It will be a relief for the people residing in the catchment if this road could be completed and linked up with Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.
WE also urge government to continually have constant routine checks on the various roads so as to quickly identify the ones with signs of distress and amend such with immediate intervention. A wide variety of chemicals are commonly used to treat road surfaces, minimize wear, and reduce dust; hence, government should employ the services of qualified engineers to maintain these roads with the appropriate chemicals in order for it to have a longer life span.
FURTHERMORE , government should as a matter of urgency discourage people from the habit of dumping refuse in the drainage systems as this most often leads to overflow which is one of the major causes of road damage. Also, government should remove long abandoned vehicles from the major roads which cause the roads to fail as well as accidents.
FINALLY, citizens must appreciate government huge investment on these roads and ensure that they are used responsibly. People should avoid making bonfires and other activities capable of damaging the roads. We are specifically calling on those who have extended their shops to the major roads to desist from so doing as this could be dangerous for them in cases of accident aside the damage caused on the roads. Members of the NURTW should as well desist from building their parks on these roads.
