Staff and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, staged a protest on Monday to draw attention to the deplorable state of the Ado-Ikere Road, which serves as the main access route to the institution. The demonstrators blocked the road for over five hours, highlighting the road’s hazardous condition and its impact on commuters.
The protesters expressed frustration over the road’s deteriorating condition, citing safety concerns and difficulties in accessing the campus. They emphasized the road’s importance as a vital link to the polytechnic and other destinations, including Afe Babalola University, and called for urgent intervention from the Federal Government and relevant authorities.
Students lamented the daily challenges they face in commuting to and from the campus, with some reporting accidents and loss of lives due to the road’s poor state. Additionally, the road’s condition has led to increased vehicle maintenance costs and limited transportation options for commuters.
Leaders of various staff unions, including the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), echoed the protesters’ demands for immediate road repairs. They emphasized the need for comprehensive reconstruction to address the road’s longstanding issues adequately.
Last week, Afe Babalola, the Chancellor of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), highlighted the road’s dire condition during the university’s anniversary ceremony. He expressed frustration and called on the Federal Government to take decisive action to address the road’s challenges.