FUOYE students paralyse activities at Ekiti FERMA office over colleague’s death

Students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Monday, paralyzed activities at the office of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), while protesting the deplorable Oye –Ikole Federal road which they alleged led to the death of a final year student of the institution last week.

Recall that the Oye-Ekiti-Ikole Federal Road is a link road between the nation’s capital, Abuja, and several southwestern states, including Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Lagos. As a result, this road is heavily trafficked by large vehicles such as petroleum tankers and 18-wheel trucks transporting goods, including Dangote Cement and Mikano Trailers, among others.

The students, who stormed the FERMA office located along the new Iyin road in Ado Ekiti around noon, branding placards with various inscriptions immediately forcefully entered the premises chanting solidarity songs

Some of the placards read: ‘Save the future of our country’, ‘Dave Umahi save FUOYE students, make it easy to learn from distance’, ‘Accidents waiting to happen, fix our roads’, ‘President Tinubu save FUOYE students lives’, among others.

Addressing the protesters, the Students’ Union leadership of FUOYE, led by Lady Comrade Abiodun Mary, said that the students vehemently condemn the deplorable condition of the Oye-Ekiti Federal Road.

The students added that due to the severe harm caused to the students resulting in the loss of over 10 students in fatal accidents, the students are giving both the FERMA and the Federal Government a 48-hour ultimatum to commence immediate repair.

“This road has become a daily death trap for students, staff, and the indigenous people of Oye-Ekiti. Despite numerous attempts to highlight this critical issue, FERMA’s inaction has jeopardized the safety and well-being of road users, recently resulting in the tragic death of our beloved alumnus, Ohonsi Williams Ehigie.

“Tragically, this road has been in disrepair for an extended period, leading to numerous accidents, loss of lives, and untold hardships. As a responsive Union prioritizing the safety of its members, we cannot tolerate FERMA’s negligence, which endangers the lives of FUOYE students, staff, and the local community.

“Given the severe harm caused to our student population, resulting in the loss of over 10 students in fatal accidents, the Leadership of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti Students’ Union Government (FUOYESUG) hereby issues a 48-hour ultimatum to FERMA and the Federal Government to commence immediate repair and maintenance the Oye-Ekiti Federal Road to ensure its motorability and safety, including covering all potholes.”

Responding on behalf of FERMA, Engineer Simeon Adeniyi expressed condolences with the family of the student who lost his life, assuring the students of a speedy rehabilitation and construction of the road by the Federal government.

“If you had listened to the news, you would have discovered that a month ago, the same road had been approved by the federal executive council and any moment from now, the contractors will be mobilised to site.

“It is not going to be a flexible pavement. It is going to be a rigid concrete road. On the same road, FERMA has palliative work commencing any moment. I had a discussion with the contractor 30 minutes ago. We are only trying to make sure that we are not duplicating work on the same road. I am assuring you that the Federal government is trying to fix the road.”