By BAnkole Orimisan
For residents and commuters in Ondo South Senatorial District, the once-busy road linking Ore through Ode-Aye to Okitipupa has become more than a mere infrastructural concern it is now widely regarded as a death trap.
This critical corridor, which connects Ore through Ode-Aye to Okitipupa, serves as a lifeline for agrarian and commercial communities across Ondo South. Yet today, it has deteriorated into a nightmare stretch plagued by deep potholes, failed sections, and erosion that render parts of the road nearly impassable.
From Ore a major commercial gateway linking Ondo State to other parts of Nigeria through Ode-Aye, down to Okitipupa, the journey has become an ordeal. What should ordinarily take less than an hour now stretches into several hours of cautious driving, vehicle breakdowns, and mounting frustration.
Ironically, this same road serves as a major access route to the hometown of the current Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. Despite its strategic and personal significance, residents say the road has continued to suffer prolonged neglect under the present administration, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the region.
Motorists and commercial drivers lament the increasing cost of vehicle maintenance due to the road’s condition, while transport fares have surged, compounding the hardship faced by residents.
For farmers and traders, the impact is even more severe, as poor road access hampers the movement of goods, leading to losses and reduced income.
Beyond economic implications, the danger posed by the road is alarming. Large craters force drivers into risky maneuvers, often resulting in accidents or vehicles getting stuck.
During the rainy season, the situation worsens significantly as potholes become flooded and invisible, turning the road into a deadly trap for unsuspecting users.
Speaking on the condition of the road, Comrade Idowu Akinmoye, who travelled through the route over the weekend, described the experience as harrowing.
He lamented the state of disrepair, noting that the road has become a serious threat to lives and property.
According to him, “What we are seeing on that road is unacceptable. It is not just bad; it is dangerous. People are taking risks every time they travel through that axis. Something urgent must be done before more lives are lost.”
Community leaders and stakeholders have repeatedly called for immediate intervention, stressing that the road is too critical to be ignored.
They argue that beyond serving local communities, the corridor plays a vital role in regional commerce and connectivity.
The consequences of continued neglect are far-reaching. Emergency response is delayed, businesses are stifled, and residents are left to endure daily hardship on what should be a functional public asset.
For the people of Ondo South, the message is clear: the Ore–Ode-Aye–Okitipupa road requires urgent attention. Rehabilitation, proper drainage, and sustained maintenance are no longer optional—they are necessary to prevent further loss of lives and restore economic activity.
Until decisive action is taken, the road will remain what many now call it—a corridor of suffering and a silent killer on wheels.
Written by Bankole Orimisan, a journalist based in Lagos (Son of the soil)
