Residents and transporters are groaning over the deplorable state of the Ado–Ijan–Iluomoba–Ikare Road, a federal road in Ekiti State that links major educational institutions, the state’s cargo airport, and key investment corridors.
The highway, which connects Ekiti and Ondo states to Abuja, the northern parts of the country, and the South-West, has been in a terrible state for years.
Apart from serving as a gateway for interstate traffic, it is the access route to Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti; the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti; the Ekiti Cargo International Airport; and the Ekiti Knowledge Zone.
But commuters and residents say the road has now become a nightmare. Trucks and luxury buses routinely get trapped in craters and failed portions, forcing travelers to spend long hours — sometimes days — stranded.
A motorist, Bimbo Oladoye, described the situation as unbearable.
“What we suffer on this road is much. Nobody can quantify it. Apart from the daily manhour loss, there is the aspect of damage to our vehicles and other security threats.
“We learnt the contract for the rehabilitation of this road has been awarded, but there is no proof as the road remains in a bad state. We call on the Federal Government to do something urgently.”
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Supo Ijabadeniyi, also lamented the impact on the institution’s operations.
“If the university is more accessible, it will attract patronage from both local and international audience, as a result of which, it would win more laurels for the state and country at large.”
The road has repeatedly drawn government assurances.
Last year, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved its reconstruction.
In March 2024, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, also promised that work would be expedited to deliver critical roads in Ekiti.
Yet, nearly 18 months later, little has changed.
Recently, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ekiti, Emmanuel Fayose, ran into a gridlock at Iluomoba, where commuters and truck drivers had been trapped for days.
Fayose intervened by providing truckloads of gravel to fill gaping potholes to ease movement.
The PDP chieftain decried the neglect, saying:“Vehicles are constantly breaking down and the lack of maintenance is not only causing inconvenience, but also posing a significant risk to lives.
“As you enter Ekiti State, you will be greeted by potholed roads that are detrimental to vehicles and human lives. It is disheartening to see that the government has neglected these critical infrastructure projects.”
Governor Biodun Oyebanji, however, reassured residents two weeks ago that contractors would soon return to site. He explained that the delay was caused by issues now resolved.
“The Federal Government has awarded the road and the contractor has moved to the site, but they left for one reason or the other. But by His grace, the Lord has helped us to settle it. Very soon, the contractor will go back to the site.”
The governor commended President Tinubu for his support, noting that his policies were helping to address infrastructure gaps and stimulate economic development in the state.
The Punch
