Ekiti monarch visits Fashola, MD FERMA in Abuja, begs them to rescue Ekiti over poor state of roads

Ilesanmi AdekanbiOctober 4, 2022

2 minutes read

The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III has visited the Minister of Works and Housing, Raji Fasola, in Abuja over the poor state of roads in Ekiti State.

The monarch begged the minister to rescue Ekiti State from the poor state of roads in the state.

Oba Adejugbe also visited the office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA and pleaded with the Managing Director of the Agency, Alhaji Abdulrahman Rafindad to assist the State by alleviating the sufferings of the people who are experiencing untold hardship while plying these roads.

Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that the residents of Ekiti State have expressed angst over the deplorable state of roads across the state.

For the past three weeks, for people in Ekiti State, travelling is not an enjoyable experience again as nearly all the federal and state roads are in a deplorable state, constituting grave danger, causing a series of avoidable accidents, long hours on the road for short journeys and vulnerability to kidnaps as kidnappers now take advantage of the failed portions along these roads to pounce on travellers.

These worst roads that have been highlighted by people include the Ado Ekiti-Akure road, Aramoko-Igede road, Ado Ekiti-Ikare road, Ado-Aramoko-Itawure road, Ado-Ifaki–Ido Ekiti road, Ikere- Ise road, Ikere- Igbara Odo road and Ifaki–Oye Ekiti–Ikole–Omuo road.

Others are Aseigbe-Ijan-Ijesa Isu-Ikole road, Ado-Ilawe road, Omuo–Kabba road stretching to some local council areas in Kogi, Omuo-Oke road and Agbe–Ikare road which have been abandoned for years.

The condition of these roads has been a source of worry to residents and travellers, who repeatedly witness tragic accidents and are forced to pay high fares because motorists claim they spend more money to maintain their vehicles due to the state of the roads.

Weeks ago, the bridge links between the Ilawe community and Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti capital, collapsed after heavy rainfall in the area.

The bridge, which caved following downpours, was weakened by persistent erosion, overflow of water, as well increasing movements of heavy-duty vehicles along the road.

Meanwhile, Oba Adejugbe has worried about the poor state of roads and he paid visits to the major Stakeholders in Abuja.

While at the office of the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fasola with prominent Ekiti sons, the Royal Father called on the Federal Government to save Ekiti State from being cut off from the rest of the country as a result of bad roads.

According to the traditional ruler, virtually all the access roads to Ekiti State are in bad shape which pretends a danger to travellers. Adding that inter roads within the state capital, Ado Ekiti also calls for attention.

At the office of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, Oba Adejugbe pleaded with the Managing Director of the Agency, Alhaji Abdulraman Rafindad to assist the State by alleviating the sufferings of the people who are experiencing untold hardship while plying these roads.

Responding to Ewi’s plea, the duo, the Minister of Works and Housing and the Managing Director FERMA promised to expedite action to ensure that the roads are motorable as contractors will soon move to the site.

On the entourage of the Monarch were, a member of the Ewi in Council, Chief Olanrewaju Isola, the Chairman, House Committee on FERMA, Hon. Femi Bamisile, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sola Fatoba and Justice Sunday Aladetoyinbo.

Others include Barrister Dare Bello, Mr Sunday Olayinka and Otunba Ladi Owolabi.