By Law Ibitoye
Another gridlock has resurfaced along the Ifaki -Ayegbaju road in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State, following a roadblock created by a fallen tanker, leaving commuters and motorists stranded and further crippling economic activities in the area.
Precise News gathered that the tanker fell on the road on Wednesday evening, creating a major roadblock that was still obstructing free movement as of the time of this report, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
As a result of the obstruction, vehicles coming from Ado-Ekiti were reportedly diverted through Iworoko, Afao, Ire and Ilupeju before connecting Oye-Ayegbaju, thereby making the journey longer and more stressful for commuters.
The development has also affected part-time students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), some of whom reportedly had to endure the long and stressful alternative route while travelling to Ayegbaju to sit for their examinations.
Speaking with Precise News, the President of Oye Local Government Forum, Comrade Sesan Akilo, called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the rehabilitation of the road, stressing that the deplorable condition of the federal highway had contributed to the incessant accidents and falling of articulated vehicles along the axis.
Akilo said the recurring road crisis was not only causing hardship for commuters but was also having a devastating effect on commercial activities in Ayegbaju and surrounding communities, urging the relevant authorities to take urgent action before the situation worsened. Some motorists also appealed to the Ekiti State Government to urgently assist in removing the fallen tanker and clearing the roadblock to restore free movement. They lamented that the persistent hardship experienced while using the route was adversely affecting their businesses and transport operations.
The latest gridlock is coming barely two weeks after a similar traffic crisis paralysed movement along the road, with motorists and commuters reportedly stranded for almost a week before government intervention eventually restored traffic.
Residents and motorists therefore called for immediate intervention by the Federal and Ekiti State Governments to remove the roadblock and commence the long-awaited rehabilitation of the road, warning that continued neglect could lead to more frequent gridlocks, economic losses and hardship for commuters.
