- Akeredolu orders strict compliance of mounted barricades
- Akeredolu commiserates with residents and students
The Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has ordered strict compliance of the mounted barricade in Akungba community of the state to prevent heavy-duty trucks from plying the road.
The order of the governor followed an accident that happened in the community yesterday, February 3 and claimed the life of an unidentified graduate of the school who came for his clearance.
The three consecutive road accidents of February 3, 2022, were not the first to happen in the community and a barricade will be erected.
After the sad incident of January 23rd 2021 happened, a barricade was initially erected but later destroyed and became a source of revenue for some individuals by taxing trailers plying the road to have access.
It was earlier reported that the current King of the community, Oba Isaac Sunday Adeyeye, Ajimo III; and a politician in the local government, Otunba Adefarati Adegboyega were alleged to be behind the barricade’s illegal taxation, which allows heavy-duty trucks to ply the road.
In a press statement by Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State on the February 4, 2022, titled, “Akungba Accident: Akeredolu Sympathizes With Victims’ Families, Orders Strict Compliance Of Mounted Barricade”, the governor was said to have received the news of the recent accident with a heavy heart.
It also noted that the governor has been ensuring modalities are put in place to forestall continuous accidents on the road.
“Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, received the news of the accident In Akungba-Akoko which claimed the lives of residents including students, with a heavy heart.”
“The Governor said the incident was not expected given the steps that had been taken to forestall such occurrence after the incessant accidents that have claimed indigenes and students lives in the past.”
In the statement signed by Richard Olabode and made available to newsmen, it says, “In clear terms, Governor Akeredolu had ordered that a barricade be mounted at the troubled portion of the road to prevent heavy-duty trucks from plying that route.”
The Governor, however, commiserates with the people of Akungba Akoko as well as the family of the victims, expressed disappointment over people’s penchant for money over lives.
“It is disheartening that some people have turned the barricade mounted by the 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 open this barricade for heavy-duty trucks to pass for a token.”
The Governor also inform all community leaders, youth leaders or representatives, and other residents of the town to instantly desist from the toxic action of disobeying the Governor’s directive by clearing this barricade for the said trucks.
Richard Olabode through the statement disclosed that deployed armed security personnel have been directed by the governor to control the barricade with immediate effect and deal decisively with anyone found opening this barricade for articulated trucks.
The governor also assured that construction of the bad portion of the road will commence in no distance time as the design for the road is ready saying, “The road, being a Federal road, shall not impair Mr Governor’s determination to save lives”.
Akeredolu, however, commiserates with the residents and especially students whose dreams and aspirations have been cut short in their prime due to the accident cases on the road.
Author
Olufemi Damilola is a versatile, cerebral and eloquent media personnel who has won several media awards and finds interest in service to humanity through writing.