A Journey Through Neglect: An Open Letter to Governor Aiyedatiwa on the Ore–Okitipupa Road
Dear Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Like the Three Magi from the East who went to the king with their gifts, for me, I come not with presents but with a request to speak and reawaken the consciousness of my Governor, whose voice carries authority and power.
My name is ODOFIN Oluwafemi Olusegun and my comradic nomenclature is C-Banking. I am a proud son of the South, originally from Igbotako. I was born and raised in Okitipupa and currently reside in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Sir, after a long period away, I travelled to my ancestral homeland last weekend. The journey was smooth until I got to Ore. The Ore–Okitipupa road is in a state of severe disrepair and chaos. In fact, it is embarrassing.
In the castle of my skin as I speak, the road is painfully dilapidated, riddled with treacherous potholes and collapsing edges. It is barely passable, turning journeys into exhausting ordeals and exposing commuters to constant risk and avoidable vehicle damage. I believe you and your entourage may not have plied that road this year. You need to travel back home and see it for yourself.
Yes, I appreciate the various road projects currently ongoing across the state, but the major road connecting the economic backbone of the state should not be neglected. In fact, the south is the cash cow of Ondo State.
The Ore–Okitipupa road connects four local government areas comprises of Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje, and Ese-Odo. Two of these local governments are central to Ondo State’s status as an oil producing state, yet our major road remains in a state of disrepair and chaos.
I am aware that Ambassador (Sen.) Ibrahim Jimoh, CFR, earlier raised a motion in the Nigerian Senate calling for the inclusion of the Ore–Okitipupa Federal Road in the ongoing Federal Government rehabilitation works on the Akure–Ore corridor under Project No. 6509.
It is also worthy of note that the request followed the Senate’s consideration and adoption of a motion titled: “Achieving Fair and Balanced Infrastructure Development: Expansion of Akure–Ore Road Repairs to Ore–Okitipupa Unity Road.”
While awaiting funding and the mobilisation of contractors to site, I believe it is sacrosanct that the state continues to maintain the existing road to ensure it remains motorable.
Your Excellency, sir, this road also leads to your ancestral home. Ideally, in a functional system, I should not need to call your attention to fix a road leading to your roots, it ought to be done without prompting.
Thank you for your attention. I look forward to seeing the Ondo State Ministry of Works address the Ore–Okitipupa road urgently.
Thank you.