Residents of Ijoka in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State on Monday took to the streets to protest the deplorable state of the Ijoka/Ijo Mimo road, accusing the government of neglecting the area for years.

The protesters, who gathered in the early hours, blocked access to the road, lamenting that it had become impassable and a source of daily hardship for motorists and pedestrians.

Chanting anti-government songs, the demonstrators described the road’s condition as a sign of abandonment by the state government, claiming it had caused multiple accidents and hindered local businesses.

One of the residents, Ayanfe Adeyemi, said the road had been left unattended for nearly four years under the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“For the past three to four years, this has been our worst experience. Whether during the rainy or dry season, this road remains terrible,” Adeyemi said. “We are giving the government one week to return tractors to the site; otherwise, we’ll be back on the streets.”

Another resident, Oni Alade, appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to intervene, saying traders were struggling to move goods to and from the market.

“I trekked almost five miles to vote for Aiyedatiwa. We just want him to fix this road and ease our suffering,” she said.

Responding to the protest, Chairman of Akure South Local Government, Hon. Gbenga Fasua, assured the crowd that the state government had not abandoned the project.

He explained that plans were ongoing to resume work on the Ijoka road soon, adding that the government was aware of residents’ hardship.

The Ijoka road dualisation project was initiated by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration and remains one of the major infrastructure works yet to be completed in the state.

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The Ondo State Government has unveiled new measures to modernise urban planning and ensure sustainable development across its towns and cities.

In a renewed drive to reshape its cities and towns, the Ondo State Government has entered into a stronger alliance with professional town planners to deliver sustainable urban growth, modern infrastructure, and orderly development across the state.

Olajide disclosed that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration has begun work on a comprehensive master plan for Akure and other key towns. He explained that the state has also launched the digitalisation of building permit approvals, designed to speed up applications, improve transparency, and support urban renewal.

He assured town planners that the government would continue to collaborate on capacity building, enforcement of planning regulations, and protecting lands reserved for future projects.

Speaking at the meeting, NITP State Chairman, Professor Ayo Olajuyigbe, represented by TPL Akin Ogundipe, urged the state to release funds quickly for the Akure master plan. He further suggested an amnesty programme for property owners without building approvals, allowing them to regularise documents without penalties—a move he said could increase the state’s internally generated revenue.

Olajuyigbe pledged the Institute’s commitment to decentralised planning, protection of public lands, and stronger community involvement in shaping urban development.

Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Chief Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, said the government would continue to rely on planners for technical expertise and project consultancy. He called on the NITP to support the newly inaugurated Strategic Committee for EU Deforestation-Free Regulation Compliance, which seeks to align Ondo’s cocoa sector with international sustainability standards.

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The minister said his ministry was not afraid of taking big decisions and had wielded the big stick by terminating 10 contracts of erring companies.

Mr Umahi said this on Thursday in Akure during the Federal Ministry of Works Town Hall meeting/stakeholders’ engagement on the alignment of the Ondo State with the 63km segment of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

Mr Umahi exchanging pleasantries with Gov. Aiyedatiwa.

According to Mr Umahi, President Bola Tinubu is a gift to Nigeria by starting several legacy projects that would last beyond the current administration.

The minister said the Federal Government and the state government were committed to restoring Aiyetoro community that was currently battling sea incursion.

Mr Umahi also said that the road, which would pass through seven states, would open up new businesses.

He assured that the design for the section of the road in the state would be concluded in November.

“We have terminated over 10 contracts of big companies and we have the mind to terminate more and you can’t dictate to us, we will tell you what we want.

“Our books are very much open. We will conclude the design (for Ondo State) within the month of November and we will inaugurate it.

“We have directed that all federal road controllers should give us details of roads within their domain, whether awarded or not, so that by this Christmas, all federal high roads will be motorable.

“We are coming back after your election to start the Aiyetoro project, which we will construct after this one.

“Nigerians should be grateful that we have a listening President. He is committed to all sectors. This country still has a lot of potentials,” he said.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State commended Tinubu for always remembering the state when it comes to legacy projects.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, who said the project was not a political one, noted that the project had already started in other sections.

“He (Tinubu) is supporting us economically. I want to thank you for all the other projects in the country.

“This projects will be of huge benefit to us, that is why we are going to corporate with the Federal Government and the contractors,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, commended Tinubu for the initiative and the minister for working hard to get the desired results for Nigerian roads.

We at the House of Representatives are fully behind the President and the works minister.

“Our aim is that, we want Nigeria to work. We have to say bye-bye to the practice of contractors collecting money and not working.

”If contractor are not in site, don’t pay them, that’s one of the biggest scam in the ministry,” he said.

A representative of the Riverine communities, Banji Okunomo, appreciated President Tinubu for deeming it important to ensure the road pass through their domain.

Mr Okunomo noted that the 93 km shore line of the riverine areas had been so disconnected, urging them to deliver the project in stipulated time and assured of enabling environment to achieve the result.

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