Ondo: Communities Bemoan Underdevelopment, Call For Urgent Government Intervention

By Ayodele Oni

Residents of some communities in the southern part of Ondo state have again cried out over their continued sufferings occasioned by deplorable roads, electricity and other social amenities in the area.

In an open letter to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, by one of the residents, Oluwafemi Odofin, appealed to the governor to extend development to the area.

“Sir, Ondo South is the cash cow of Ondo State as we are richly blessed with human and minerals resources.

“However, the growth and development of the south is not commensurate with the vast human-capital and mineral resources we are being greatly endowed with.

“The social amenities and infrastructure across the length and breath of the southern axis of the state is nothing to write home about.

“Most of our roads are in a terribly deplorable state and it is not longer news as well that four local government areas which comprises: Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and Ese-Odo have been in perpetual darkness for over 15 years now- a worrisome situation that has crippled our socioeconomic activities in the entire area.

“Presently, the Ore-Okitipupa road, which has been left unmaintained for some years now is in a horrible state.

“The bad state of the said road has negatively impacted the people as passengers now pay higher fares. Also, motorists take a longer time plying the road while the rate of auto crashes has also be on the increase.

“The nightmare that has come to be associated with navigating this road has made some drivers to stop their daily business.

“I really sympathize with our pregnant mothers plying this road on daily basis because information has it that some expectant mothers have had miscarriages because of the terrible state of the road.

“In a nutshell, this is a passionate appeal to Mr Governor to help intervene by rehabilitating the Ore-Okitipupa motorway so that the people living in this axis of the state can again experience a new lease of life.

“It is my candid belief that this plea will not fall on Your Excellency’s deaf ears. We are counting on your responsiveness in this regard, Sir.”