Kwara South Forum Sends SOS To Tinubu Over Deplorable Federal Roads, Insecurity, Economic Hardship

Kwara South Community Development Forum has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in the deteriorating condition of major federal roads across the senatorial district, warning that the situation is threatening lives, worsening insecurity and undermining agricultural and commercial activities.

The Forum made the appeal during a press conference held on Monday, October 26, 2026, under the theme, “Save Our Roads, Save Our Lives, Save Our Economy: An Urgent Call for Federal Intervention in Kwara South.”

The forum comprising stakeholders and communities across the Igbomina, Ekiti and Ibolo blocs of Kwara South, said its intervention was motivated by developmental concerns and the welfare of residents rather than political considerations.

While speaking, the leadership of the forum, Sir Bisi Fakayode, President of the Igbomina Bloc; Engr. Bashir Lawal, FNSE, President of the Ibolo Bloc; and Prof. J. S. Omotosho, President of the Ekiti Bloc,called on the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and other relevant authorities to take urgent action to address the deteriorating condition of critical road corridors connecting communities within Kwara State and neighbouring states.

The Forum identified the Ilorin–Omu-Aran–Eruku–Kogi State boundary road as one of the major routes requiring urgent government attention.

According to the group, the road connects communities across Ifelodun, Irepodun, Oke Ero and Ekiti Local Government Areas, extending towards the Kogi State boundary.

It noted that the corridor serves farmers, traders, students, workers, commercial transport operators, healthcare seekers and other residents who depend on it for their daily activities.

The Forum said the deteriorating condition of the road had made transportation increasingly difficult and expensive, with motorists experiencing delays, vehicle damage and increased operating costs.

It also raised concerns over the Ajase-Ipo–Offa–Erin-Ile–Osun State boundary road, describing it as an important transportation corridor linking Irepodun, Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas with neighbouring communities in Osun State.

The group stressed that the two routes are vital to the movement of people and goods, adding that their deteriorating condition affects communities and commercial activities beyond the immediate areas they serve.

Beyond the economic implications, the Forum expressed concern that the poor condition of the roads was compounding security challenges across Kwara South.

It cited reported cases of kidnapping and loss of lives along the affected routes, warning that the deteriorating infrastructure was exposing travellers to danger and making emergency responses more difficult.

According to the organisation, poor road conditions can hinder the timely movement of security personnel and emergency responders, while criminal elements may exploit the difficult terrain to carry out their activities.

The Forum called on relevant security agencies to strengthen surveillance, increase patrols along vulnerable routes and work closely with affected communities to improve the protection of residents and travellers.

It maintained that the roads were essential not only for transportation and commerce but also for effective security operations and the protection of lives and property.

The organisation urged the authorities to act decisively, insisting that residents should not continue to face avoidable dangers while travelling between their communities and neighbouring towns.

It also appealed to the Kwara State Government to use its good offices to facilitate urgent federal intervention and promote collaboration with relevant authorities towards finding a lasting solution.

The Forum warned that the deteriorating road network was undermining the agricultural potential of Kwara South, which it described as an important food-producing area in the state.

It explained that the poor condition of the roads had made it increasingly difficult for farmers to transport agricultural produce from farms to markets, worsening their economic challenges.

According to the group, the additional transportation costs and difficulties associated with moving produce could further strain the livelihoods of farmers and other residents who depend on agriculture and related commercial activities.

It noted that the consequences extended to traders, transport operators and businesses whose operations rely on the efficient movement of goods and people.

The Forum argued that rehabilitating the roads would improve access to markets, strengthen agricultural value chains and facilitate economic activities across the senatorial district.

It therefore called on the Federal Government to ensure that the affected corridors receive adequate attention in infrastructure planning and budgetary allocations.

Emphasising the broader importance of the affected routes, the Forum said the roads should not be regarded merely as infrastructure serving individual towns or local government areas.

It noted that the corridors connect communities and economic activities across Kwara, Kogi, Ekiti and Osun states, making them important to regional integration, commerce and transportation.

According to the organisation, rehabilitating the roads would improve the movement of people and goods across state boundaries while strengthening commercial relationships among communities.

The Forum added that functional roads would also improve access to schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services, contributing to the overall development and well-being of residents.

It urged the relevant authorities to recognise the regional significance of the road network and prioritise its rehabilitation accordingly.

As part of its demands, the Forum called for an urgent technical assessment of the affected road corridors to establish their current condition and determine the appropriate rehabilitation measures.

It also requested the immediate commencement of emergency palliative works on severely damaged sections to restore reasonable access while comprehensive rehabilitation plans are being developed.

The organisation further demanded comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads whose condition has deteriorated beyond the effectiveness of temporary repairs.

In addition, it called for sustainable budgetary provisions for the affected corridors to ensure that rehabilitation projects are adequately funded and that improvements can be maintained over time.

The Forum stressed that repeated temporary interventions would not provide a lasting solution where extensive rehabilitation or reconstruction had become necessary.

The Forum appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the appropriate federal authorities, to give urgent attention to the road infrastructure challenges confronting communities in Kwara South.

It urged the Federal Ministry of Works, FERMA and other relevant agencies to treat the matter as a priority and initiate the necessary technical and administrative processes for intervention.

The organisation also appealed to the Kwara State Government to facilitate engagement with the Federal Government and support efforts to secure lasting solutions to the problem.

It maintained that a coordinated response by the federal and state governments would be crucial to restoring safe and reliable transportation across the affected communities.

While calling for urgent government action, the Forum urged the people of Kwara South to remain peaceful, united and constructive in seeking solutions.

It pledged to continue engaging government institutions through appropriate and lawful channels, emphasising that its campaign was focused on development and the welfare of residents rather than partisan political interests.

The organisation maintained that the people of Kwara South deserved functional roads that support agricultural production, business activities, education, healthcare delivery and effective security operations.

It stressed that farmers deserved reliable access to markets, businesses needed dependable transportation links, children required safe access to education, and communities needed accessible healthcare and effective emergency response.

Concluding its appeal, the Forum called on the Federal Government to assess the affected roads and commence urgent rehabilitation works, insisting that the people of Kwara South could no longer afford prolonged delays in addressing the infrastructure challenges.

Its message was clear: “Save Our Roads, Save Our Lives, and Secure Our Communities.”

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the rehabilitation of the affected roads through peaceful engagement, urging the authorities to translate their appeals into concrete action.