Ondo Residents lament, Stage Protest Over Deplorable Roads
community News
Ikare Akoko, Ondo — Angry residents of Iku Quarters in Ikare Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, took to the streets on Sunday in a peaceful protest against the deplorable condition of roads leading to their community.
The demonstrators, comprising youths, traders, farmers, and other residents, blocked sections of the roads while carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Fix Our Roads Now,” “Enough of Death Traps,” “Mr Governor, We Are Dying. Our People Can No Longer Go To Farm Due To Bad Road”; “Awara/Ikare-Akoko Stadium Road Has Become A Death Trap. “We Need Urgent Government Intervention,” and “We Say No To Bad Road Network in Iku Community,” among several others.
They described the roads as unmotorable, riddled with potholes, and a major hindrance to daily life and economic activities.
Protesters lamented that the poor state of the roads has persisted for years, turning what should be routine commutes into nightmares. They highlighted frequent vehicle breakdowns, accidents, and difficulties in transporting farm produce and goods to markets.
Speaking during the protest, the community’s traditional ruler, Chief Mukaila Bello, said the deplorable condition of the roads has made it difficult for farmers to convey their produce to market for business and economic gain.
Also, a community leader who spoke during the protest said, “We pay taxes and deserve basic infrastructure. These roads have become death traps, especially during the rainy season when they are almost impassable. Our children, farmers, and traders suffer daily. We are tired of empty promises.”
The demonstration disrupted traffic for several hours as residents demanded urgent intervention from both the state and federal governments. They accused elected representatives of neglecting the area despite repeated appeals.
This protest adds to a series of similar demonstrations in the Akoko area, where communities have repeatedly highlighted the poor condition of federal and state roads linking towns like Ikare, Ogbagi, Arigidi, and others. Residents argue that bad roads hamper trade, increase transportation costs, and contribute to loss of lives.
Ondo State officials have in the past acknowledged ongoing rehabilitation works on some stretches in the region, with assurances of completion.
However, protesters insist that visible improvements remain minimal in Iku Quarters and surrounding areas.
As of press time, no official reaction had come from the Ondo State Government or relevant federal agencies. Community leaders vowed to sustain pressure until concrete action, such as grading, patching, or full reconstruction, begins.
The protest reflects growing frustration among rural communities in Ondo State over infrastructure deficits amid economic hardships.
