Ekiti Bad Roads: Okemesi Roads Collapsing Too, Community Calls For Caution Over Diversion Of Traffic

The Okemesi community in Ekiti West Local Government, Ekiti State, has notified the general public, the government and commuters, considering using roads linking the town as an alternative to accessing neighbouring States, towns and villages of impending dangers if certain measures were not put in place as a matter of urgency.

In a statement released to newsmen on Sunday, by Comrade Abraham Adeleye, the National Publicity Secretary of the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Union (FOIU), the community said “the passage of heavy-duty vehicles is not advisable, particularly along Okemesi- Osun State borders and suburbs to prevent avoidable accidents.”

Owing to the collapse of most of the roads across the state, the Federal Road Safety Corps Sector (FRSC) Commander, Ekiti State, Olusola Joseph, had announced the closure of the road stretch between Igede Ekiti and Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State for two weeks owing to the rehabilitation of the road.

He said “Those coming to Ado should take Efon – Okemesi – Ijero -Ido – Ado Ekiti. Vehicles coming through Ifaki Ekiti should divert at Ifaki Ekiti junction and follow Ifaki – Ido – Ijero – Ikoro – Okemesi – Efon Alaaye. This is only for smaller vehicles as reported by the site engineer for rehabilitation to be carried out on the identified portion of the road”.

Joseph, however, alerted the public to the risk associated with Efon -Ikogosi route, saying, “It is hilly with slopes, bends and encroachment of thick vegetation into the road making it dangerous and prone to road traffic crashes.

“The possible and safe route is Efon – Okemesi and Ifaki – Ijero-Okemesi – Iwaraja/Ilesa.”

Reacting, the FOIU statement read; “It has become imperative to notify the general public, government and commuters who are considering using the Okemesi road network as an alternative to accessing neighbouring States, towns and Villages of impending dangers if certain measures are not put in place as a matter of urgency.

“I am directed by the Federation of Okemesi Improvement Unions national leadership ably led by Mr Nathaniel Olaoye on behalf of the Owa Ooye-in-council and the good people of Okemesi Ekiti that passage of heavy-duty vehicles is NOT ADVISABLE in particular along Okemesi- Osun State borders and suburbs so as to prevent avoidable accidents.

“The bridges linking Okemesi with Esa-Oke and Imesi-Ile require patience and good driving skills by cars in order not to run into the ditch created by erosion and years of neglect.

“Should an articulated vehicle attempt to pass the same route, it could cause accidents or even total collapse of the bridge.

“The ancient bridge on River Osun linking Ijero to Okemesi Ekiti is also suffering the same fate and the rate of vibration of recent is alarming. We would not want our community to be mentioned for any mishap, hence the need for this alert.

“We call on government at all levels to come to our aid and fix all damaged portions of the roads so that we are not cut off from the world as the effects on our agrarian economy would not be palatable.”