Former senator representing Ondo South, Nicholas Tofowomo, has raised concerns over the worsening condition of federal roads across Ondo State, particularly in the Southern Senatorial District, describing them as death traps for road users.
Tofowomo, a former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), said the dilapidated state of major roads had become alarming. He listed some of the affected routes to include Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha, Ore-Okitipupa, Okitipupa-Erekiti-Akinfosile and Irele-Ore roads.
He recalled that while serving in the ninth National Assembly, he had jointly moved a motion with Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East on the rehabilitation of the Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha road before it was eventually fixed by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA).
The former lawmaker stressed the need for constant repair and maintenance of federal roads to curb avoidable accidents and ease the movement of people and goods. “Especially the Ondo-Ile-Oluji-Ipetu Ijesha road, which has become impassable because of gullies. Travellers from Ile-Oluji to Ilesha or Ikeji are forced to take longer routes through Ondo or Akure, doubling their journey time,” he said.
Tofowomo questioned whether FERMA was still functioning effectively, noting that inadequate funding might have crippled its operations. He called on the National Assembly Committee on FERMA to step up oversight and ensure the agency lives up to its mandate.
He urged the Federal Government to make road maintenance a national priority, saying good road networks would boost economic activities and guarantee safer travel for Nigerians.
