N’Delta Monarchs, HOSCON Demand Tinubu’s Intervention on Dilapidated Federal Roads

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The HOSCON Traditional Rulers and Elders Advisory Council of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the deplorable state of federal roads across the South-South region.

The Council lamented that virtually all federal highways in the region have collapsed, leaving commuters stranded for days while businesses and commerce suffer huge losses.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, HRM King Obukowho Monday A. Whiskey JP, Ph.D, Udurhie I, the Ovie of the Great Oil/Gas Rich Idjerhe Kingdom, the Council said the situation has become unbearable despite the peace being maintained by traditional institutions in the region.

According to the Council, movement between major South-South cities has become a nightmare.

“It is so painful that despite the existing peace that the Traditional leadership continues to keep, yet no adequate efforts are being made to address these very painful situations. Today you can hardly travel from Warri to Benin or from Benin to Calabar,” the statement said.

The monarchs noted that a journey that should take hours now takes days due to collapsed sections, potholes, and abandoned projects.

The Council further decried the economic impact of the bad roads, saying communities in the oil-rich region have been “locked in for no reason.”

“Our people have been locked in for no reason, businesses and commerce are suffering while insecurities on the bad roads are increasing by the day,” King Whiskey stated.

He said kidnappers and armed robbers now take advantage of stranded motorists on failed portions of the highways.

The HOSCON Traditional Rulers called on the Federal Government to immediately mobilize competent construction contractors to commence rehabilitation works across the South-South.

They also urged the FG to put in place a consistent maintenance culture for federal roads nationwide instead of emergency repairs every rainy season.

“The federal government should also fashion out consistent maintenance arrangements for existing roads across the Country and not running from pillar to post every rainy season, that way some of these yearly embarrassing situations can be addressed,” the statement added.

The Council stressed that provision of essential infrastructure and proper maintenance would help bridge the gap between the government and the people.

“The HOSCON Traditional Rulers and Elders Advisory Council of Nigeria strongly believe that the provisions of essential infrastructures across regions of the Country and adequate maintenance culture will go a long way to addressing several of the disconnect amongst our people and regional interest,” King Whiskey said.

The Council appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Works to treat the South-South roads as a matter of national emergency.