By Akinnodi Francis, Ondo

Motorists in Ondo City have expressed deep concern over the poor state of road infrastructure in the council area of Ondo State.

A cross-section of motorists, commuters, and stakeholders highlighted the issue during a survey conducted by The Hope.

They lamented that the dilapidated state of most roads is largely responsible for the recurring road traffic accidents, which often result in significant loss of lives and property.

According to them, the alarming increase in the frequency of these usually fatal crashes could be drastically reduced if the roads are properly repaired and maintained.

The motorists and commuters expressed growing anxiety over the worsening state of roads in the council area, urging both state and federal authorities to take swift action.

Key roads identified for urgent repair include the Ondo-Akure and Ondo-Ife highways, some sections of the Ondo-Ile-Oluji road, and several major township roads.

They noted that journeys which should take a short time now require considerably longer periods due to the increasing difficulty of navigating roads filled with potholes and suffering from years of neglect.

Speaking to The Hope about the situation, some of the affected residents decried the frequent delays and congestion caused by the poor state of the roads.

A driver, Tayo Aloba, lamented that the situation has contributed to accidents and inefficiencies in travel.

He stated that inadequate funding, corruption, and mismanagement are key factors contributing to the deplorable condition of the roads.

He called for increased investment in roads and other infrastructure across the state and the country at large.

“The Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) came some months ago to cut portions of the roads, but up till now, they have not been filled. We appeal to them to come back and complete the work,” he said.

A commuter, Dada Babalola, urged the government to address the situation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Babalola, who criticised the state of some federal and state roads, called for robust funding, better management, and the decentralisation of road maintenance responsibilities to local governments for improved efficiency.

Another driver, Tunji Ojo, remarked that the roads become a yearly struggle during the rainy season, adding that their personal efforts to address the challenges are no longer sufficient.

A staff member of FERMA, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the government had invested significant resources in the repair of federal roads.

He revealed that the agency is making efforts to fix the roads, especially with the Christmas and New Year celebrations approaching.

The Hope reports that the federal government recently launched ‘Operation Free Our Roads,’ a joint initiative of the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA.

The initiative aims to prioritise citizens’ needs by improving road infrastructure. Interventions under the programme include pothole patching, pavement strengthening, repairs of failed sections, limited rehabilitation, bridge and culvert construction, and general maintenance.