The people of Iloffa community in Oke-Ero local government area of Kwara State, Nigeria, are expressing deep concern over the poor state of the Omu-Aran-Iloffa-Eruku–Egbe–Kabba federal road. This road, a vital transportation artery, has been described as a "death trap" by community stakeholders due to its deplorable condition. The road's state has severely impacted economic and social activities in the area, causing significant hardship for residents and travellers alike.
The Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Samuel Niyi Dada, highlighted the road's adverse effects on the residents' standard of living and the local economy. He pointed out that deep potholes, gullies, and muddy patches have made the road treacherous for motorists, leading to frequent vehicle damage, including burst tyres and broken axles. This has resulted in untold hardship for those using the route daily.
The deplorable condition of the road has not only hindered vehicular movement but has also become almost impassable for pedestrians. As a result, township roads are under additional pressure, with vehicles diverting from the federal road into Iloffa township roads. This has caused further inconvenience to the community. The situation has forced many commercial transporters to abandon the route, while those still plying it charge exorbitant fares, inflicting more hardship on passengers.
Iloffa, being a major agrarian community, is particularly affected by the road's poor state. Farm produce is now rotting on farms due to the inability to transport it on time to markets. The badly damaged portions of the road, worsened by the rains, have forced drivers to take detours through lonely forest paths, exposing them to kidnapping and bandit attacks. This has added to the community's woes.
The 143-kilometre stretch of road from Ilorin to Egbe through Omu-Aran, Iloffa, and Eruku, which previously took a maximum of two hours to traverse, now takes seven to eight hours, and sometimes a whole day. This significant increase in travel time has further exacerbated the economic losses suffered by the community. The situation is dire, and urgent intervention is required to alleviate the suffering of the residents.
The Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Samuel Niyi Dada, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to come to the community's aid. The community is seeking urgent repairs to the road to restore normalcy to their lives and revive economic activities in the area. The monarch emphasized the need for prompt action to address the road's deplorable condition.
The plight of the Iloffa community highlights the challenges faced by many rural areas in Nigeria due to inadequate infrastructure. The poor state of the Omu-Aran-Iloffa-Eruku–Egbe–Kabba road is a stark reminder of the need for sustained investment in road infrastructure to facilitate economic growth and improve the quality of life for rural communities. The community's situation calls for immediate attention from relevant authorities.
Key points
- The Omu-Aran-Iloffa-Eruku–Egbe–Kabba federal road has been described as a "death trap" due to its deplorable condition.
- The road's poor state has caused significant economic losses and hardship for residents and travellers.
- The community is appealing for urgent repairs to the road from President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Works, and the Governor of Kwara State.
