Ondo State government has expressed its displeasure at the condition of federal roads in state and vow its desire to fix them.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Saka Yusuf Ogunleye made this known during an inspection of the failed portion of the Araromi junction along Owo/Ilesa road in Akure.

Mr. Ogunkeye remarked that though the roads are owned by the federal government, they are being used by the people of the state, hence the need for the inspection.

“The government of Arakunrin Akeredolu cannot fold its arms and watch these roads become impassable. We have decided to intervene on behalf of our people. Our people remain the priority. Anything that affects them must be tacked. We have to make our roads safe regardless of maybe they are federal road or not.”

The Commissioner explained that the state government was compiling the list of such roads to be fixed across the state, adding that the state government had earlier intervened in Owo/Ikare and Owo/Ose roads, which are all federal roads. He stressed that the state government was going to replicate the gesture in all other federal roads that are in poor state.

He said the state government intended to liase with the Federal Road Maintainance Agency (FERMA) on the need for the federal government to maintain its roads in the state.

The Commissioner and the team also visited areas where roads are in deplorable condition in Ondo. The places visited are Akure/Ondo garage road and Leventino junction along Ife road. They also checked a collapsed bridge at Akinwande, Surulere, where the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi conducted them round.

At Okelisa, Mr. Ogunleye frowned at the habit of dumping refuse in drainages, saying it hinders free flow of water, which leads to flooding.

The Special Adviser to Mr. Governor on Works, roads and Infrastructure, Engineer Raimi Aminu and other engineers accompanied the Commissioner on the inspection tour.
http://ondostate.gov.ng/Home/NewsItem/Ondo-State-Govt-will-fix-deplorable-Federal-Roads--Works-Commissioner-Assures