…Workers, Students Stranded
There was gridlock along Ijoka Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Monday, as residents took to the streets to protest the deplorable condition of the road, which they said had been abandoned for over a decade despite multiple approvals and re-awardings by successive governments.
As early as 6:30am, the protesters blocked the busy road, leaving hundreds of students and workers stranded on their way to schools and offices.
Commuters were seen trekking long distances while commercial vehicles and motorcycles were forced to turn back due to the barricades mounted by some residents.
The protesters with a chorus “We Are Tired of Government Deceit”, accused the government of neglecting the community despite repeated assurances to rehabilitate the road.
According to them, the road had been approved for reconstruction over ten years ago but successive administrations only re-awarded the contract without any tangible progress.
Students who were on their way to school were also caught in the traffic, with many stranded for hours.
A commercial driver, who identified himself as Tunde, said the road’s poor state had damaged several vehicles and increased the cost of maintenance.
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