Ondo Orders Removal Of Abandoned Heavy Vehicles, Equipment On Roads
The Ondo State Government has ordered owners of abandoned heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, machinery and large watercraft obstructing roads and waterways across the state to remove them.
The government declared that failure to do so within seven days of the announcement , the owners risked forfeiture of such equipment.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Emergency Response and Safety Enforcement, Mr Wellington Adebawo, announced the directive while speaking with newsmen in Akure the state capital on Wednesday.
Adebawo said the directive became necessary following “growing safety concerns over the presence of abandoned heavy-duty vehicles and equipment on roads, as well as abandoned large boats and other watercraft on the state’s waterways.”
According to him, such abandoned objects constitute potential hazards to motorists, commuters, pedestrians and waterway users, particularly where they were left unattended for extended period of time.
He said, “The government has already carried out a comprehensive survey of abandoned heavy-duty vehicles, equipment and other related obstructions across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, as part of efforts to identify and address potential safety hazards across the state.
”We want to appeal to companies, businesses and individuals whose heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, trailers, construction equipment and other large machinery have been abandoned along roads or other public spaces to take immediate steps to remove and relocate them to safe and appropriate locations within the stipulated period.
”Similarly, owners of abandoned large boats, barges and other commercial watercraft on the state’s waterways are advised to retrieve and relocate their vessels to designated and safe locations within the seven-day period,” he stated.
The governor’ aide also stated that the directive was primarily aimed at preventing avoidable accidents and protecting lives and property, rather than targeting legitimate businesses or individuals.
He stressed that abandoned heavy vehicles and equipment could “create dangerous obstructions, reduce visibility and available road space, and expose road users to avoidable risks.”
He further warned that where owners fail to comply with the directive within the specified period, the Ondo State Government will take necessary enforcement action to remove and impound the abandoned vehicles, equipment and watercraft, with such items liable to forfeiture in accordance with applicable government regulations and laws.
”All abandoned vehicles, boats or equipment on the roads or waterways should be removed or risk forfeiture. This order takes effect from Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and expires on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
”There shall be no extension or grace period beyond the seven-day deadline, we urge all affected owners and operators to use the stipulated period to comply with the directive and avoid enforcement measures,” he warned.
Adebawo called on relevant owners and operators to treat the directive with urgency and cooperate with the government to ensure safer roads and waterways across Ondo State.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Aiyedatiwa administration to strengthening emergency response, safety enforcement and preventive measures aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.
Abandoned heavy-duty vehicles and machinery on public roads can obstruct traffic and create safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians, while derelict boats and other watercraft can pose risks to users of the state’s waterways.
The directive is part of the state government’s efforts to remove such obstructions and prevent avoidable accidents.
