Residents and stakeholders in Iloffa community, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, have raised concerns over the deplorable condition of the Omu-Aran-Iloffa-Eruku-Egbe-Kabba federal road, describing it as a major threat to economic and social activities in the area.
The community stakeholders said the deteriorating condition of the road had caused significant hardship for residents, motorists, commercial transporters and farmers who depend on the route for movement and transportation of goods.
The Alofa of Iloffa, Oba Samuel Niyi Dada, described the road as a “death trap”, saying its poor condition had adversely affected the standard of living of residents and contributed to significant economic losses.
According to the monarch, several sections of the road are characterised by deep potholes, gullies and muddy stretches, leaving vehicles stuck for hours, particularly during the rainy season.
He said motorists using the route frequently experience burst tyres, damaged axles and other forms of vehicle breakdown.
Bad Road Forces Vehicles Into Iloffa Township
Oba Dada said the deteriorating federal road was not only affecting vehicular movement but was also putting additional pressure on roads within Iloffa township.
He explained that some motorists now divert through township roads to avoid the worst sections of the federal highway.
The monarch added that the situation had forced some commercial transport operators to abandon the route, while those still operating along the corridor had increased fares to compensate for the difficulties and additional costs associated with using the road.
He said the increased transportation costs were placing further pressure on passengers, particularly farmers who depend on the road to transport agricultural produce to markets.
Farmers Face Losses as Produce Rots
The monarch described Iloffa as a major agrarian community and said farmers were among those worst affected by the poor state of the road.
According to him, delays in transporting farm produce have resulted in agricultural products remaining on farms for extended periods, increasing the risk of spoilage and financial losses for farmers.
He also expressed concern over the security implications of the damaged portions of the road.
He said some drivers now take alternative routes through isolated forest paths to avoid badly damaged sections, exposing travellers to potential kidnapping and bandit attacks.
Ilorin-Egbe Journey Now Takes Up to Eight Hours
Oba Dada said the 143-kilometre stretch from Ilorin to Egbe through Omu-Aran, Iloffa and Eruku, which previously took about two hours to navigate, now takes between seven and eight hours and, in some cases, an entire day.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Works David Umahi and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to urgently intervene and facilitate the rehabilitation of the road.
The monarch said restoring the road would improve transportation, strengthen economic activities, support farmers and ease movement between communities along the corridor.
