Residents of the Ijoka community in Akure South Local Council of Ondo State yesterday shut down socio-economic activities in the area while protesting against the abandoned and deplorable state of the major road linking the community to other parts of the Akure metropolis.
The angry residents, who mounted barricades on the road with logs of wood and piles of stones as early as 7:00 a.m., forced hundreds of commuters to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances to their destinations.
As the gridlock extended to adjoining major routes such as Oda Road and Oluwatuyi, the protesters accused the state government of abandoning the dualisation of the Ijoka Road project, which was inaugurated about seven years ago during the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
They alleged that all work on the road stopped following the governor’s death in December 2023, and that the road, described as one of the busiest and most strategic routes in the state capital, had since deteriorated further.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Fix Ijoka Road, Save Our Lives”, “No More Promises, We Need Action”, and “We Deserve Good Roads Too”, the protesters sang solidarity songs and demanded immediate government intervention, lamenting that “we’ve been forgotten since Akeredolu died.”
Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders, also joined the demonstration, honking their horns and calling for the mobilisation of contractors to the site.
One of the protest leaders, Dele Akinola, said the action became inevitable after years of neglect and unfulfilled promises by successive administrations.
He said, “It’s painful; this road was a top priority for the late governor. He came here himself and promised it would be completed. After his passing, it’s as if the government forgot we exist. The partial work done has already begun to deteriorate due to erosion and lack of maintenance.
“Every rainy season, this road becomes a river. Cars break down daily, tricycles tip over, and people get injured. We have written petitions, made appeals, and even met with government officials, but nothing tangible has been done. This protest is not political; we only want a motorable road. That’s all we’re asking for.”
A community leader, Chief Kayode Ogunleye, appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to honour Akeredolu’s legacy by completing the abandoned project, stressing that “finishing this road would be the best way to respect the memory of his predecessor and ease the suffering of thousands of Akure residents.”
Attempts to speak with the Commissioner for Works, Abiola Olawoye, were unsuccessful, but a senior official in the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the government was aware of the poor condition of the road and assured that plans were underway for its rehabilitation.
The Chairman of Akure South Local Council, Gbenga Fasua, who visited the protest scene, appealed to residents to remain calm.He said, “We understand your frustration, and the government is not turning a blind eye. Work on Ijoka Road will commence shortly. I appeal to all residents to cooperate and be patient while the authorities put measures in place to fix this road once and for all.”
