Residents of Iku Quarters in Ikare-Akoko, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State, have staged a peaceful protest to demand the urgent rehabilitation of the Awara Water Work/Ikare-Akoko Stadium road, warning that years of neglect have isolated the agrarian community, disrupted farming activities and exposed residents to growing economic hardship.
The protesters appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to intervene immediately, describing the road as a “death trap” whose deteriorating condition has made transportation difficult, increased the cost of doing business and cut off many farmers from their farmlands.
Armed witrh placards on Sunday bearing different inscriptions such as Awara/Ikare-Akoko Stadium Road Has Become a Death Trap, We Need Urgent Government Intervention” and “Mr Governor, We Are Dying, Our People Can No Longer Go to Farm Due to Bad Road,” the residents said the road had become virtually impassable, particularly during the rainy season.
Speaking on behalf of the community, the Oniku of Iku, Mukaila Bello, described the demonstration as a collective appeal to government and elected representatives to rescue the community from years of infrastructural neglect.
According to him, the poor condition of the road has become a major obstacle to farming, commerce and access to essential services, with residents facing increasing risks each time they travel in and out of the community.
“For years, our roads have been neglected. Deep potholes, severe erosion and impassable sections have turned what should be accessible roads into death traps,” Bello said.
“Every rainfall worsens the situation, and access to homes, farms and businesses has become a daily struggle for our people. Businesses are suffering, transportation costs have increased, emergency vehicles find it difficult to reach residents, and the fear of accidents grows every day.”
He added that the worsening condition of the road has undermined the livelihoods of farmers, who depend on the route to transport produce to markets, thereby threatening agricultural productivity in the area.
Bello appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, the Chairman of Akoko North East Local Government, Senator Jide Ipinsagba, House of Representatives member Ife Ehindero, traditional rulers and other political leaders to prioritise the rehabilitation of the road before further damage is done.
“We passionately appeal to all stakeholders to urgently come to the aid of Iku Quarters. This is a cry for help from a community that has suffered neglect for too long,” he said.
Also speaking, President of Iku Elite, Adiamo Usman, said rehabilitating the road had become an urgent matter of public safety and economic survival rather than a mere infrastructure project.
He noted that the poor road network has continued to hamper movement within the community, making it difficult for farmers, traders and residents to carry out their daily activities.
“I call on the state government for immediate attention before lives are lost and properties are destroyed on the road. Good roads are not a privilege; they are a basic necessity for the people,” Usman said.
“The residents of Iku Quarters are not asking for luxury. We are asking for safe and motorable roads that will allow us to live, work and raise our families with dignity.”
He expressed confidence that the state government would respond positively to the community’s appeal, stressing that responsive leadership is demonstrated by its willingness to address the legitimate concerns of citizens.