Rainfall worsens Ondo roads, residents seek Aiyedatiwa’s intervention

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of several Akoko communities in Ondo State have appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate roads damaged by heavy rainfall, saying the deteriorating condition is disrupting transportation and economic activities.

The residents said persistent downpours had further worsened major roads linking communities, making some routes increasingly difficult for motorists and commuters to navigate.

One of the affected routes is the Ikare-Akoko-Ogbagi road, particularly the stretch between Irun and Ogbagi, which residents said had become increasingly difficult to access.

Meanwhile, the ongoing dualisation project around Akungba-Akoko has compounded the situation, with motorists travelling to Ikare reportedly diverting through the Oyinmo route to avoid difficult sections.

Other roads said to be in poor condition include the Ugbe-Simerin-Epinmi and Afin-Ese-Ogbagi roads, leaving farmers, traders and other residents to bear the brunt of the deteriorating infrastructure.

A resident of Ogbagi, Sunday Akinyemi, commended the state government for road projects in other parts of Ondo State but urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to extend similar attention to the Akoko communities.

“Our roads have become very difficult to use, particularly during the rainy season, and we appeal to the governor to intervene before the situation gets worse,” Akinyemi said.

Similarly, a trader in Ikare, Bose Adeyemi, said the bad roads had increased transportation costs and hampered the movement of farm produce, urging the government to prioritise their rehabilitation to protect businesses and livelihoods.