Ex-lawmaker, Arase, motorists groan as gridlock worsens on Ifaki-Oye-Ilupeju highway

Former lawmaker Senator Ayo Arise has decried the worsening gridlock on the Ifaki-Oye-Ilupeju highway in Ekiti State, urging the Nigerian government to intervene urgently. Upon visiting the affected area, Arise witnessed hundreds of articulated vehicles, including trailers and fuel tankers, stranded for approximately 48 hours after a section of the road collapsed at Ilupeju-Ekiti.

The congestion has severely hampered traffic flow, leaving truck drivers and motorists stranded. Safety concerns have also arisen, particularly due to several tankers carrying petroleum products, which pose a risk of fire outbreak or accident. Arise described the situation as alarming, highlighting the need for immediate repairs to ease the suffering of motorists.

He had also personally experienced the gridlock after arriving in Ekiti from Akure, where a journey that typically takes just minutes had become a prolonged ordeal. The former lawmaker emphasized that the poor road condition was not a recent issue, as motorists and residents have been grappling with the problem for over 15 years.

Arise warned that the gridlock is not merely a transportation issue but could negatively impact businesses, commerce, and the broader economy, as many stranded trucks were carrying goods destined for various parts of the country. The situation, he noted, is a total embarrassment, and immediate action is required to prevent further economic consequences.