By Osagie Otabor, Akure
Vehicular movements were on Wednesday halted along the Akure-Ekiti highway when residents of the two States staged protests over the abandoned N22b Akure/Ado-Ekiti road dualisation project.
The deplorable road has increased transportation fares between Akure and Ado-Ekiti.
Many travellers trapped in the vehicular traffic joined in the protest.
The protesters, comprising residents of Ekiti and Ondo States under the aegis of Great Patriot for Better Initiative (GPBI), said the contract for dualising the road was awarded 15 months ago.
They alleged the contractors have been mobilised but were yet to commence work.
Head of Project Monitoring of GPBI, Comrade Niyi Majofodun, urged the Federal Government to urgently revoke the project.
According to him: “The dualisation of Akure – Ado Ekiti road was awarded in 2020 and subsequently got mobilised in November 2020.
“The contractor refused to move to the site until a few days ago after our organization had petitioned the office of the Director-General of BPP over the abandonment of the project.
“It is on record that killings, kidnappings, robbery, raping and terrible motor accident have become uncontrollable on the said road (Akure–Ado Ekiti).
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“We cannot afford to die in silence, we want to strongly appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, to please look into this matter as a matter of urgency. We also express our displeasure at the manners at which Director General ( BPP) awarded the road.
“Mr. President should not allow his name to be dragged into the mud on this matter since he had performed his Constitutional right by awarding the contract and subsequently mobilized the contractor. Therefore, he must ensure his directive is complied with and carry out.
“The contract should be revoked to save the life of the road ushers. The road is expected to be delivered within 30months of the award and until now no sophisticated equipment is seen on the ground.”
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State on Citizen Engagement and Grassroot, Josemaria Adeusi, said it was best to revoke the contract if the contractor has not done anything significant.
Former Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Rotimi Adeleye, described the road situation as embarrassing and disgusting.
“We are pleading to the government to come to our aid. Several lives had been lost on this road alongside several kidnappings.”
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