Commuters, motorists, and transporters along the Ifaki-Oye-Ilupeju axis in Ekiti State are experiencing relief as the Federal Government begins intervention work on the severely deteriorated road. This action follows a site assessment visit by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who committed to restoring access for the public.
The road’s previous state of disrepair had severely hampered transportation and local commerce, leaving numerous fully loaded trailers trapped for days near Oye-Ilupeju. This gridlock not only caused significant personal hardship but also disrupted the flow of goods between Nigeria’s South-West and northern regions, sparking concerns about broader economic consequences.
During his visit, Minister Goronyo highlighted the route’s status as a vital economic corridor essential for the transit of people and agricultural produce. He explained that the project was originally awarded in 2025 and that a contractor had been assigned. While acknowledging that funding constraints may have hindered progress, the Minister assured that the government would review the situation to ensure the contractor is adequately supported to expedite construction.
“We want to assure Nigerians, particularly the people that are plying this road, that this is a very important road and it is connecting the South-West to the northern part of this country,” Goronyo stated. He added that he was acting on directives from President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, emphasizing the administration’s goal to prevent any road from being cut off across the country.
The road’s poor condition had previously drawn sharp criticism from those trapped by the gridlock. Drivers such as Akanda James Taiwo reported being stranded for up to 48 hours, while others, including Muhammed Hammed, expressed frustration over the recurring neglect of transport workers until their support is required for political purposes.
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