Feb. 4, 2022

…Says construction of bad portion of the road to commence soon

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has received the news of the accident, which claimed the life of a former student of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Mr. Michael Akiniyi, with heavy heart.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, on Friday in Akure.

Students of the university on Friday barricaded the Owo-Ikare road protesting incessant road accidents in the town, involving trucks.

The protest followed the death of one Akinniyi, who was reportedly hit by a truck in Akungba-Akoko on Thursday evening.

Akeredolu said the incident was not expected, given the steps that had been taken by the state government to forestall such occurrence.

The governor said he had ordered that a barricade be mounted at the troubled portion of the road to prevent heavy duty trucks from plying that route.

Akeredolu, while commiserating with the family of the deceased and the people of Akungba-Akoko, expressed disappointment over people’s penchant for money over lives.

“It is disheartening that some people have turned the barricade mounted by government to prevent these heavy trucks from plying the road, into a money-making venture.

“If people truly value lives, and understand that whatever money you made at the expense of people’s lives is blood money. This particular incident was highly avoidable.

“On several occasions, I have visited Akungba-Akoko on the heels of incessant accidents. As part of our temporary solution to the situation, a barricade was mounted. It was expected that no heavy duty vehicle would ply that road again.

“However, we have received reports that some residents of the town opened this barricade for heavy duty trucks to pass for a token.” he said.

He, therefore, warned community leaders, youth leaders or representatives, and other residents of the town to desist from the unwholesome act of flouting the directive by opening the barricade for articulated trucks.

Akeredolu said that the government would henceforth, deploy armed security personnel to man the barricade, and deal decisively with anyone found opening the barricade for articulated trucks.

The governor assured that construction of the bad portion of the road would commence in no distance time, noting that the design for the road was ready.

“The road, being a federal road, shall not impair our determination to save lives,” Akeredolu read.

He expressed concerns over the needless death of residents, especially students whose dreams and aspirations had been cut short in their prime. (NAN)