The Ekiti State Government has commiserated with the Oore of Otun and Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, over a recent road accident in Otun-Ekiti that claimed about five lives.
The State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Omotayo Adeola, conveyed the condolences of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji and his wife, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, during a visit to the monarch.
Adeola, who was accompanied by the Iyaloja-General and President of Ekiti Iyalojas Association, Alhaja Abibatu Ogunjobi, and other market leaders, described the incident as painful and avoidable.
She assured the royal father of the Government’s commitment to the safety and wellbeing of residents, traders and other road users.
The commissioner noted that Otun-Ekiti serves as a major gateway town with heavy vehicular traffic, stressing the need for collective efforts to prevent a recurrence.
She urged traders to operate within designated market areas instead of along highways, saying the measure was necessary to protect lives and promote safer trading conditions.
Adeola also called on traditional rulers, chiefs and market leaders to strengthen collaboration with government by fully utilising the market along the Ayetoro-Ekiti Road, constructed during the administration of former Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
According to her, the facility has adequate space to accommodate traders.
In his response, Oba Adeagbo thanked the governor for the condolence visit, describing him as a compassionate leader and partner in progress.
The monarch disclosed that a stakeholders’ meeting involving chiefs, market leaders and security agencies was held after the accident, with resolutions reached to enhance safety.
He said measures agreed upon included the installation of speed breakers and road signs, clearing of roadside trading activities and relocation of indiscriminately parked vehicles to designated motor parks.
Oba Adeagbo added that chiefs regularly monitor compliance in the market on trading days and that the exercise would be intensified.
He, however, appealed to the state government for financial support to implement the safety resolutions.
Also speaking, the Vice President II, Iyaloja Ekiti State, Chief Mrs Adebola Sulaiman, commended the commissioner for her support and urged traders operating along Osan Road to relocate fully into the market, assuring them of sufficient space.
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After the visit, Adeola, alongside ministry officials and market leaders, toured the Otun market to sensitise traders on safety and orderly trading practices.