Ondo roads now death traps, says ex-senator Tofowomo

Nicholas Tofowomo, a former senator, has raised concerns over the state of federal roads in Ondo.

Tofowomo, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), spoke with journalists on Friday in Okitipupa.

He said the situation is particularly dire in Ondo south, where roads have become almost impassable.

The roads, according to him, include Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha, Ore-Okitipupa, Okitipupa-Erekiti-Akinfosile, and Irele-Ore roads.

The ex-lawmaker, who represented Ondo south in the ninth national assembly, recalled how he and Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun east, once moved a motion on the Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha road before it was fixed by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

He lamented that the road has once again deteriorated.

“People travelling from Ile-Oluji to Ilesha or Ikeji will have to go through Ondo or Akure, two times farther than going through Ile-Oluji directly,” he said.

He faulted FERMA for “failing” to maintain critical roads across the country, saying it is unclear if the agency is “still functioning or comatose, maybe due to lack of funds”.

“I urge the national assembly committee on FERMA to stand up to their responsibilities by doing the needful for FERMA to rise to its responsibilities in order to save lives on these federal roads,” he added.

Tofowomo asked the federal government to make road maintenance a national priority, saying this would not only save lives but enhance trade and movement of goods and services.