What is our offence in Ile-Ife? -Ooni raises alarm over Ife roads

Oredola Adeola

 
The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has raised alarm over poor state of federal and state governments roads spread across Ile-Ife, Osun State, demanding to know the offence of the people of the ancient city.

Ooni Ogunwusi made this known in a statement released by Moses Olafare, Director, Media & Public Affairs, Ooni's Palace.

Ooni Ogunwusi on Sunday during the commissioning of a 700 metres road at the popular Odo-Ogbe market (Oja Tuntun), Ile-Ife, facilitated by the Ife-born, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative matters, (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

According to him, the bad roads are making transportation of persons and goods a herculean exercise within the Ile-Ife metropolis.

He said, "I really do not know our offence in Ife to deserve the poor road network that surround us. It is not enough to call Ife the source, this city deserves to be treated as the true source of humanity that it is.

"It is so bad that the same government that has refused to fix our roads is the one denying us access to do what we can do ourselves. All we hear is that" it is a government road" so we have to keep waiting.

"We are aware that the government cannot do it alone, so, we want them to put up a scheme, like a form of concession on all major roads in Ife. We would look for able personalities within the community, they will fix the roads and they will give them task credit. It is the same.

The Ooni therefore challenged the Federal and state governments give the Ife people the opportunity get prominent sons and daughters to fix the roads.

He said, “We shall see whether we will perform or not. we can now replicate it in other communities across the state and country. We are willing and able to do that on all major roads in Ile-Ife, all we need is a form of concessionaire.

Senator Omoworare in reaction to the demands of the Ooni, reassured the Ooni of the government's support towards the development of the ancient city.

The former lawmaker confirmed  that President Muhammadu Buhari, in the 2022 proposed budget, has earmarked major road including Mayfair, Lagere, Iremo and Moore roads among others for construction.