By Dayo Johnson Akure

Concerned citizens and residents of Idanre Local Government Area in Ondo State have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over the abandonment of the 16.6-kilometre Idanre–Owena Road Project awarded in 2023.

In the petition signed by Olabanji Olusesan on behalf of the community, the residents expressed worry that the continued listing of the project as “ongoing” in the federal budget could lead to further release of public funds without any work done on ground.

According to the petition, the road was officially awarded for rehabilitation and reconstruction on January 27, 2023. However, no contractor has been seen on site since the award.

“There has been no visible commencement of work, no equipment mobilisation, and no construction activity whatsoever,” the petition stated.

The group noted that the project still appears in the Federal Budget as “ongoing,” creating the impression that work is in progress when nothing has been executed.

“This situation raises serious concerns of mismanagement and possible diversion of public funds, as the community has derived no benefit from the awarded project,” it added.

The petitioners said the poor condition of the Idanre–Owena Road continues to cause hardship, economic losses, and safety risks for residents.

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Minister of Works, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, the Senate Committee on Works, and the House of Representatives Committee on Works.

The community demands include ” immediate suspension of further payments or release of funds for the project, investigation into the status of the project, funds released, name of contractor, amounts approved and released, and implementation reports.

Other demands are ” Prosecution and sanctions* against any individual or contractor found to have mismanaged or misrepresented the project, proper re-award or genuine commencement of the road project for the benefit of Idanre residents.

“We submit this petition in the interest of transparency, accountability, and development. We trust that your office will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take necessary steps to protect public funds,” the petition concluded.