•••Aluta Strategy Turnned The Wheel
Emmanuel Oluwadola
Students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko have protested against incessant accidents along the Akungba-Akoko road as a result of the movement of heavy trucks.
The students at the early hour of Feb 4th, trooped out in masses to express their agitations, projecting that strict measures have not been taken to curtail heavy trucks causing accidents from plying the narrow-high road, which needed to be dualized.
A commercial motorcyclist, Mr. Adebayo Kunle reacted to the protest. He said, "We are tired of the death of our people on this road. We ride daily with fear, always watching out for heavy trucks, as they cause frequent accidents all the time."
The Student Union President, Ogunsanmi Kolade, while speaking with pressmen, disclosed that several letters have been earlier written to the office of the Governor as part of the steps taken to stop the menace and his administration will not rest until the needful is done.
"Before, we are pleading that trucks should be allowed to move from the hour of 10 pm to 5 am, but now the message we are passing to Mr. Governor, the Federal Government, and Stakeholders involved is that we do not want any truck to ply Akungba-Ikare road."
Reacting to the protest is the Vice-Chancellor of the 21st-century University, Prof. Olugbenga Ige while addressing the students protesting advised the students to stage and maintain a peaceful protest as their agitations have been heard by the State Government and immediate measures will be taken to stop the reoccurrence.
The adept Professor who was spotted at the protest scene of where a barricade was erected assured the 'mourning students' that the movement of heavy trucks will be restricted following the directive of the Ondo State Government.
"No trailer will pass through this road again and the barricade will not be opened for anybody. The State Governor is aware of this and we are going to sign a memorandum of understanding. Demonstrating your grievances as students in a peaceful manner is good and acceptable," he added.
The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu having received the message, responded to the student's protest through a statement duly signed by the State's Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.
“On several occasions, I have visited Akungba Akoko on the heels of incessant accidents. As part of our temporary solution to the situation, a barricade was mounted. It was expected that no heavy-duty vehicle would ply that road again. However, we have received reports that some residents of the town open this barricade for heavy-duty trucks to pass for a token"
The Governor however warned all community leaders and other residents of the town to desist from flaunting the Governor's directive by opening the barricade for plying of trucks and he further assured that the construction of the bad portion of the road will commence in no distance time as the design for the road is ready.
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