The Ilorin-Offa-Erin Ile road is in Southern Kwara State, a North Central state of Nigeria. The road is arguably the busiest intra-state transport road in Kwara State. Not only that, the road also serves as a major link to the South Western state of Osun. The state of the said road, which is near comatose, has been causing excruciating and harrowing pain to road users, making passage a complete nightmare. As at last count, over 50 cases of road accidents have occurred on this deadly road.

If this figure is not mind-blowing, nothing would ever be. These accidents could have been avoided, but for the miserable and pitiable condition of the road. As a result, people of the area have become an object of ridicule and are, on daily basis, dragged in the mud by motorists as though they are responsible for the failure of the government.

The state government, in whose jurisdiction the road is located, has kept a sealed lip on the issue, thereby committing a conspiracy of silence to be judge in the court of public opinion.

The government must realise that every life lost on that road can be saved if the road is fixed.

When will the state government hear the cries of the helpless road users, who are on a daily basis, confronted with the grim consequence of an atrocious road?

Government should not continue to wait until more lives are lost on the road before it responds.

The argument in some quarters that the said road is a federal road is completely unacceptable and should be regarded as a failed attempt to justify the inaction of government.

The leadership of the state should understand that they subscribed to an oath of ensuring the protection of lives and therefore, welfare of its citizens, bringing up excuses in the process should not be an excuse on why the road is in such a condition.

The government should note that a good road is sine qua non to a blooming and flourishing economy?

This writer would, therefore, make it a point to appeal to the state government to step up to the plate and live up to the responsibility of its office by ensuring that Ilorin-Offa-ErinIle road and any other roads within the State is rehabilitated.

Alatise Taofeeq Nasir, Ilorin.