Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Akure, Nigeria — A significant road infrastructure project in Ondo State has reportedly been left unfinished and in a deteriorated state despite substantial payments made to the contractor, according to a field investigation by civic tech group Tracka. The Owena–Alade–Idanre Road, a key corridor linking communities in the state, remains largely impassable and neglected, raising fresh concerns about public funds, infrastructure delivery and accountability.
Official records verified through Tracka and the BudgIT Foundation’s GovSpend platform show that ₦371.7 million was disbursed between April and November 2024 for the construction and rehabilitation of the route. An additional ₦33.2 million was reportedly paid in August 2024 for production engineering design related to the project. Despite these sizeable disbursements, investigators found no evidence of meaningful construction activity, rehabilitation work or any sustained presence of the contractor at the site.
The road, which serves farmers, traders, students and other commuters in the region, was found to be in deplorable and near‑impassable condition at the time of the visit. Residents and users of the corridor said transportation has become increasingly difficult, slowing economic activity and raising the cost of moving goods and services along the axis.
Observers and local stakeholders have also warned that the poor state of the road has created security risks, as deteriorated sections have become hotspots for criminal activity, including robbery and other violent offences that exploit the vulnerability of stranded motorists and commuters.
The contractor associated with the project, H.K. Flamingo Consulting Ltd, has not publicly responded to inquiries about its performance, and there was no visible mobilisation of equipment or workers at the road during the monitoring visit. The discrepancy between payments recorded in public budget documents and the reality on the ground has fuelled frustration among residents who depend on the route for daily economic and social activities.
Civic tech organisations, including MonITNG, have called for urgent transparency and accountability from the Federal Ministry of Works — the implementing agency — demanding clear information on how the funds released for the project were utilised and why construction has stalled despite significant government expenditure. They have also urged anti‑graft agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate possible mismanagement and diversion of public funds tied to the road’s rehabilitation.
“The Nigerian public deserves to know why substantial payments have been made while the road remains in shambles,” MonITNG stated, emphasising that accountability is essential for public confidence in infrastructure delivery and good governance.
The Owena‑Idanre corridor has been identified repeatedly as a critical artery for trade, agriculture and daily commuting within Ondo. The ongoing neglect despite budget allocations reflects persistent challenges in monitoring and executing capital projects, a concern echoed by residents and road users who see the condition of the road as emblematic of broader issues in regional development and public service delivery.
Meanwhile, state authorities have pursued other road initiatives, such as the recent flag‑off of the Akure–Ijare Road project under the administration’s development agenda, signalling continued attempts to address infrastructure gaps in the region.
As public scrutiny intensifies over the abandoned Owena‑Idanre project, stakeholders are calling for decisive action to ensure that public funds translate into tangible infrastructure improvements rather than projects that exist only on paper, leaving commuters, traders and communities to bear the burden of neglect.
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