Residents laud median replacement project in Akure

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
Residents of Akure, the capital of Ondo State, have applauded the state government’s initiative to replace the concrete central reservation at Oja Oba on Oba Adesida Road with reinforced and perforated structures.
They believe that this upgrade will significantly improve safety and traffic management in the bustling market area.
The decision to revamp the median dividers comes in response to persistent requests from local residents, who have long raised concerns that the concrete structure obstructed visibility, creating opportunities for criminal activities, such as robbery, in the area.
While commending the government for its responsiveness, residents have also called for the inclusion of access routes within the new reinforced structures to facilitate easier crossing and movement between both sides of the road.
It is worth noting that approximately four years ago, during the administration of the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the central reservation was introduced along the busy Adesida Road.
The initiative was designed to reduce pedestrian and vehicular traffic congestion, curb street trading and begging, and encourage the use of pedestrian bridges for safer movement.
However, many residents felt that the new arrangement was overly restrictive, as the bridge was often inconvenient to use, and the activities on either side of the median were unclear and inaccessible.
In response to these concerns, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa moved to address the issue by removing the concrete median and replacing it with a more appropriate structure.
Speaking on the ongoing project in separate interviews, a trader, Mrs Titi Ayokanmi described the initiative as a positive improvement.
She appealed to the government to ensure that passage between both sides of the road remains easy and accessible. Similarly, Mrs Rosemary Okon expressed optimism that the project would enhance the aesthetics of the road.
Mr Ayoola Akinyeye, another resident, urged the public to protect the project once completed and called for an increased security presence in the area to ensure its safety. Mr Peter Jones added that while the new median would reduce the risk of accidents and improve overall road safety, the importance of considering the visibility and accessibility of market stalls and shops in the design and construction phases should be under scored.
Residents are hopeful that the ongoing median replacement project will meet international standards upon its completion, thereby further enhancing the safety and urban landscape of Akure.