The state of Ogbagi Road has reached a critical point, with its dilapidated condition and the unchecked movement of heavy-duty vehicles causing numerous accidents and claiming innocent lives.
The tragic incident that occurred yesterday, the 14th day of January, 2025, claiming the lives of four individuals, draws attention to the urgent need for immediate intervention.
The accident, which involved a tipper overloaded with gravel, was a direct consequence of the deteriorating state of the road and the excessive weight of vehicles it is not designed to accommodate. Witnesses recounted how the tipper, which was coming from Ikare direction at the power house, lost control while navigating the uneven terrain, leading to a catastrophic collision with a bike man, popularly known as Principal, who had earlier stopped to allow his passengers climb down from the bike, having reached their destination. Sadly, the bike man, his two passengers and a baby (four altogether) were pronounced dead at the scene. It will be recalled that very early in January 2024, a young lad was crushed to death by a heavy duty vehicle at Egako Quarters and up till now, nothing was done to forestall the recurrence of such ugly event. The failure to put considerable measures in place led to another accident yesterday.
Ogbagi Road, which serves as a vital link for residents and businesses in the region, linking the people of Irun Akoko, Ese Akoko and neigbouring Ekiti towns to Ikare has been plagued by deep potholes, eroded surfaces, and poor drainage, rendering it nearly impassable. Despite repeated calls from concerned citizens, no significant efforts have been made to rehabilitate the road or regulate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles.
Community leaders and advocacy groups, especially The Good Governance Group (3G), have decried the inaction of relevant authorities, lamenting the human and economic toll of the road’s deplorable state. Residents have overtime cried in a loud voice that the once peaceful and safe road has become a death trap.
The question has always been “How many more lives must be lost before something is done?” This tragedy could have been avoided if the road was in good condition and heavy vehicles were properly regulated.
The community is calling on the Ondo State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to take immediate steps to prevent the reoccurrence of this sad and ugly incident, to wit:
Rehabilitate Ogbagi Akoko road as this repairs and reconstruction will ensure the road is safe for all users.
Regulate the movement of heavy-duty vehicles to prevent further damage to the road.
Install proper signage, speed bumps, and streetlights to ensure safety for road users.
This tragic loss of life must serve as a wake-up call for swift and decisive action. The residents of Ogbagi and surrounding communities deserve better infrastructure and safer roads to protect their lives and livelihoods.
OGBAGI PROGRESIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT
