By Maryam Aminu
The War Against Corruption Initiative International (WACI) has sounded the alarm over the deteriorating condition of the Iru-Imesi Road in Ondo State, warning that the neglected highway has become a major threat to livelihoods, commerce and public safety while urging authorities to immediately commence work on the long-delayed project.
The call followed a firsthand assessment by the organisation’s Director of Operations, Thomas Kahinde, who, according to a statement signed by War Against Corruption Initiative International (WACI), was caught in a prolonged traffic standstill that exposed the scale of hardship being endured daily by commuters and residents.
Kahinde recounted that what was expected to be a routine journey turned into several frustrating hours after vehicles became trapped on the road. Curious about the cause of the gridlock, he said he stepped out of his vehicle only to discover that the highway had remained in a deplorable condition for a long period.
He said interactions with residents, commercial drivers and other road users revealed that although the road project had reportedly been awarded, the contractor handling it had yet to receive adequate mobilisation to begin substantial work.
The WACI official lamented that commercial buses, private vehicles and trucks conveying goods were left stranded for hours, leaving passengers exhausted and disrupting business activities across the corridor.
He warned that beyond the inconvenience, the road’s poor condition is inflicting serious economic losses through delayed deliveries, rising transport costs and damage to vehicles.
He added that farmers are struggling to move produce to markets, while emergency cases involving pregnant women, patients and other vulnerable persons risk fatal consequences because of the inaccessible road.
“The suffering on this road is unimaginable until one experiences it firsthand. Spending several hours on a single stretch of road is unacceptable in a country striving for economic growth and improved infrastructure. Every minute lost on this road translates to lost productivity, wasted resources and unnecessary hardship for citizens,” Kahinde said.
WACI appealed to the Federal Government, Ondo State Government, Federal Ministry of Works, the Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Olajide Ipinsagba Emmanuel, and the Minister of Interior to urgently intervene by ensuring the contractor is mobilised and construction begins without further delay.
The organisation stressed that rehabilitating the Iru-Imesi Road would ease the suffering of commuters, strengthen security, enhance trade, improve access to markets and restore confidence in government’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure.
WACI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and responsive governance, pledging to continue speaking out on abandoned projects and policies that negatively affect the welfare of Nigerians.
Africa Security Investigation News 