A resident of one of the communities along the newly rehabilitated Wole Soyinka-Kemta-Idi-Aba-Somorin road, Prof. Oladipo Ademuyiwa, has been killed by a hit-and-run driver.

Other residents are now blaming the state government after spending a period heaping blame on the same government when the road was in a terrible state.

In a statement, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Kayode Akinmade, said it was unfair and mischievous for anyone to blame the government for the death of the professor.

He said the 7.3 km road is one of over 700 kilometres of roads rehabilitated or constructed across the state for the use of residents and commuters alike by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, pointing out that apart from providing necessary infrastructure in line with international standards, speed breakers and other safety measures were also installed to protect road users and their properties and check reckless driving on the road.

He said Ademuyiwa was knocked down by a reckless driver who did not comply with established traffic rules and regulations.

This was as he revealed that the government sympathizes with the victim's family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours.

"Just last December, in response to the call of the communities in the area, the government installed a total of 11 speed breakers in addition to the one earlier installed on the road. This is apart from other relevant road signs that have been strategically placed to guide drivers and other commuters plying the road.

"While we deeply sympathize with the family, colleagues and other community members of the late Prof. Ademuyiwa, we wish to call on all relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitization of all categories of road users, particularly motorists on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations across the state at all times to prevent such unfortunate incidents in future," he added.

ASA