Ondo Communities Petition Works Ministry Over ‘Ghost’ Federal Road Project

Residents of Idanre Local Government Area in Ondo State have petitioned the Minister of Works, David Umahi, demanding an urgent investigation into the apparent abandonment of the Idanre–Owena federal road project.

The community alleges that despite the contract being officially awarded in January 2023 for comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction, no contractors or equipment have ever been mobilized to the site. The petition, authored by community representative Banji Olusesan on behalf of concerned residents, highlights severe economic hardships, daily commuter gridlock, and escalating safety hazards caused by the road’s rapid deterioration.

The community expressed particular alarm over federal budgeting discrepancies, noting that the project continues to draw administrative funding.

> “Shockingly, the project continues to appear in the federal budget as an ‘ongoing project’, creating the impression that work is in progress when nothing has been executed on the ground,” the petition stated. “This situation raises serious concerns of mismanagement and possible diversion of public funds.”

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In a bid to ensure public accountability, the residents have outlined several immediate demands to the Federal Government. These include an immediate suspension of all further financial disbursements allocated to the Idanre–Owena road contract, alongside a forensic verification process to trace previously released project funds and publicly identify the assigned contracting firm. Furthermore, they are calling for the prosecution of any corporate entities or government officials found complicit in misrepresenting the project’s actual progress.

The community is urging the Ministry of Works to either compel the current contractor to begin work immediately or re-award the project to a competent firm to alleviate the protracted suffering of the area’s residents.