Ex-senator decries deplorable federal roads in Ondo

A former senator, Nicholas Tofowomo, has lamented the deplorable state of federal roads across Ondo State, especially in the southern senatorial district, which he said poses great danger to constituents.

Mr Tofowomo, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, who recently defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), told journalists on Friday in Okitipupa that the state of the roads had become worrisome.

According to him, some roads include: Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha, Ore-Okitipupa, Okitipupa-Erekiti-Akinfosile, and Irele-Ore roads.

Mr Tofowomo, who represented Ondo South at the ninth National Assembly, said he and Senator Francis Fadahinsi, representing Osun East, had moved a motion on the Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha road before it was repaired by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

He emphasised the urgent need for regular repair and maintenance of these roads to prevent avoidable accidents and ensure safe passage, “especially the Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha, which was no longer accessible because of the gullies on the road.”

“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.

“FERMA is responsible for maintenance of federal roads in the country, but what I don’t know now is if they are still functioning or in a comatose, may be 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,” Mr Tofowomo said.

He, therefore, urged the federal government to prioritise the maintenance of federal roads nationwide, noting that it would enhance local economic activities and ensure efficient movement of goods and services.