The Federal Government has commenced emergency repairs on the failed portion of the Ifaki-Oye-Kabba Road in Ekiti State after motorists, including articulated vehicle drivers, were left stranded for days.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, disclosed this on Tuesday during an inspection of the road, where he expressed concern over the difficulties faced by road users.

An articulated vehicle driver, Quasm Abudu, said he had been trapped on the road for about three days, lamenting the financial losses and other challenges caused by the situation.

A resident of Oye-Ekiti, Bolade Olowo, described the condition of the road as “traumatic and unpalatable”, saying its deterioration was disrupting economic activities and movement within the area.

He said the road connects communities including Ifaki, Oye, Ayegbaju, Ilupeju, Itapa and Osin-Ekiti, while also serving as an important route for heavy-duty vehicles travelling between the South-West and other parts of the country.

Goronyo said the Federal Government had deployed equipment and materials through the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to carry out immediate palliative work and restore access.

He explained that the rehabilitation contract for the road was awarded to Gamji in 2025, but inadequate funding had delayed the contractor’s return to site.

“The contractor had been mobilised, but was complaining of inadequate funding. The Federal Government will review the funding arrangement and ensure that the contractor is adequately mobilised to return to site,” he said.

The minister also announced plans to temporarily restrict articulated vehicles from using the road from the Ifaki end while the palliative works are being carried out.

Goronyo appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with the authorities, assuring them that efforts were underway to make the road passable as quickly as possible.

He also inspected the Efon-Iwaraja Road, where a large ditch had forced motorists to turn back and seek alternative routes.

The minister promised immediate remedial work on the failed section, assuring residents and motorists that the Federal Government would not allow the road to remain impassable.

Goronyo said the interventions were part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader directive to address critical road failures across the country.

He also highlighted major projects, including the Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, as part of the administration’s investment in road infrastructure.

According to the minister, improved road infrastructure is critical to economic activities, security, agriculture, employment and access to healthcare.