By Law Ibitoye
The Oye Local Government Youth Forum has raised alarm over the worsening condition of the Ayegbaju-Oye-Ilupeju federal road, appealing to the Federal and Ekiti State Governments to urgently intervene and prevent the major route from cutting off several communities from the rest of the state.
The appeal followed the massive traffic gridlock that disrupted vehicular movement from Oye to Osin Ekiti on Thursday, leaving commuters, motorists, commercial drivers and residents stranded for several hours.
The forum, comprising the presidents of youth associations across towns in Oye Local Government, made the call in a communique issued after its monthly meeting held at Itaji Ekiti on Thursday. The communique, signed by the President of the forum, Comrade Akilo Sesan, and Secretary, Comrade Babayemi Emmanuel, described the situation as “traumatic and unpalatable”, warning that the continued deterioration of the road could cripple economic activities, cut off communities in the local government and pose security threat
The forum specifically appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and other relevant authorities to urgently mobilise resources towards fixing the road.
The youth leaders said the affected route links Ifaki, Oye, Ayegbaju, Ilupeju, Itapa and Osin Ekiti, among other communities, and remains critical to the economic activities of residents of Oye Local Government, Ekiti State and the wider region.
The communique reads in part: “We cannot pretend as if we are not aware of the devastating conditions of our roads in Oye Local Government, especially the federal road that links Ayegbaju -Oye- Ilupeju road as a result of the poor condition caused by the influx of heavy-duty lorries.
“We call on the Ekiti State Government, FERMA and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help us fix this important road. This road is instrumental to the economic growth of not only residents of the local government but Ekiti State and Nigeria.”
The forum said the gridlock, which reportedly started from Ifaki Ekiti on Thursday afternoon had stretched as far as Osin Ekiti as at 6: 00 PM, creating a nightmare for road users. According to the youth body, more than 500 heavy-duty lorries were stranded on the road, while vehicles and motorcycles struggled to manoeuvre through the severely damaged portions that had left only a narrow passage for movement.
It warned that the situation had gone beyond ordinary traffic congestion, describing it as an emergency requiring immediate government intervention.
The youth leaders expressed concern over the safety of residents, motorists and drivers, stressing that the prolonged presence of stranded heavy-duty vehicles could further endanger lives and property.
They appealed to the authorities not to wait until the road becomes completely impassable before taking action, warning that several communities could be cut off if the situation is allowed to deteriorate further. The forum said fixing the road would not only ease the immediate traffic but also protect livelihoods, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and strengthen economic activities across Oye Local Government and Ekiti State. It therefore urged the Federal and State Governments to treat the road as an emergency infrastructure project and deploy road maintenance agencies to the affected portions immediately.
The Oye Local Government Youth Forum comprises presidents of youth organisations representing towns across the local government.