A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi state, Prince Dayo Akanmode, has expressed worry over the bad state of roads in Okun land.
Speaking with our reporter on Wednesday, Akanmode said he foresee a situation where Okun land, in the western senatorial district of the state, may be be cut-off from other parts of Nigeria at the end of current rainy season due to the deplorable state of roads in the area.
He recalled his recent trip through Aiyetoro-Egbe road, emphasising that the journey was tumultuous with attendant pains and lamentation because of the precarious situation of the road.
Akanmode, a 2023 governorship aspirant, added that being the only alternative route for some travellers at the moment, it is worrisome that the road has been left unattended to after several contracts for the construction has been awarded by government.
“For how long will this agony and nightmare last for a road that has been awarded several times for construction.
“I am trying to avoid been tagged an alarmist or a prophet of doom, but I foresee a situation where Okun may be cut off from other parts of the country at the end of the raining season. God forbid. This is due to the bad road network.
“The most deplorable is the Aiyetoro-Egbe road which many abandoned for Ekiti that had better roads. Unfortunately, with the recent problem between Iyara and Iyamoye, the Aiyetoro-Egbe road has become the saving grace, especially for those travelling to Ilorin. The stone that was rejected has now become the cornerstone,” he said.
Akanmode called on Federal government to expedite action on the road to alleviate the suffering of residents, and commuters.
Four federal roads connect Okun land to other parts of the country – the Aiyetoro-Egbe, Kabba-Omuo Ekiti, Kabba-Okene and Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba roads. Only Lokoja-Obajana-Kabba road is in good shape. Other three are in deplorable states.
