..demand Gov. Aiyedatiwa’s quick intervention

Youths in Irekari Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ose Local Government, Ondo State, on Wednesday staged a protest over the deplorable state of roads and other decaying infrastructure in their communities.

The protest, saw the youths lament the devastating condition of access roads that, according to them, have caused hardship for residents and damage to motorists’ vehicles.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters appealed to both Federal and State Governments, as well as lawmakers representing the area, to urgently rehabilitate the roads to safeguard lives and restore economic activities.

Addressing the Divisional Police Officer who arrived at the scene, leaders of the protesting youths said:
“Today, we are marching for the emancipation and liberation of Irekari. We the youths are speaking with one voice. We beg the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to please remember us in Irekari.”

Beyond road infrastructure, the protesters highlighted other pressing issues, including lack of electricity, dysfunctional health facilities, and an inactive magistrate court—challenges worsened by the inaccessibility of the roads, which discourage workers from staying in the communities.

The youths also accused the Marble Company in Afo of worsening the roads through heavy-duty trucks that ply the routes daily. They, however, urged the government to channel part of the tax revenue collected from the company into road rehabilitation.

Expressing disappointment at the exclusion of Irekari LCDA from the “Operation Emergency Road Construction” recently announced by the state government, the youths vowed to sustain their protests until relevant authorities and stakeholders respond to their demands.