Senate Summons Works Minister Over Poor State of Oyo-Ogbomoso Highway
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The Senate at plenary Wednesday summoned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to explain the continued delay in the completion of the Oyo-Ogbomoso federal highway.
The red chamber’s decision was sequel to its consideration of a motion sponsored in that regard by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who is representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Buhari’s two prayers in the motion were approved by his colleagues.
The Senate unanimously urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, direct the relevant authorities to complete the rehabilitation of the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road to forestall further negative occurrence on the road.
It also mandated the Senate Committee on Works to invite the Minister of Works with a view to unraveling the circumstance(s) that led to the abandonment of the portion of the Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road project by the contractor.
Buhari underscored the importance of good roads, saying that apart from preventing avoidable accidents, it makes movement of goods and services easier.
He said: “The Senate is aware that transportation ensures stable prices in different markets and enable traders to regulate the supply of goods at various locations, based on changing demands.
“It notes that in the last one month, the people of Ogbomoso land have been plunged into an unprecedented crisis, occasioned by a tragic petrol tankers accident that occurred on the road, which resulted in gridlock, rendered some inhabitants of the area homeless, paralysed economic activities as well as claimed some innocent lives.
“It also notes that the situation has been further exacerbated by the diversion of commuters to old Ogbomoso-Oyo road, which is the Takie-Bowen-Seminary-Emayo-Caretaker Federal Road, due to the reconstruction of the new Ogbomoso-Oyo federal road, which has been ongoing since the year 2007.
“Further notes that the Federal Government embarked on the reconstruction of the road by contracting different portions of the road to different contractors for quick completion.
“However, whilst other portions had been completed, the Ogbomoso-Oyo road is yet to be completed, as the contractor handling that portion has left the site.
“The Senate express worry that the old Ogbomoso-Oyo federal road, which the commuters have diverted to temporary, is currently undergoing rehabilitation due to the high volume of trucks, plying it since the year 2020.
“It also express worry that whilst the rehabilitation is aimed at improving the infrastructure, the continuous usage of this temporary diversion over time, has unfortunately led to the destruction of most part of the Ogbomoso metropolitan roads, leaving the people trapped and in chaos.
“It further expresses worry that this road, which is less than 500 metres long, has become a deathtrap, responsible for numerous accidents in recent times, as over 10 accidents have occurred within just a few days.
“The development had led to loss of lives, injuries and devastating impacts on businesses, whereby perishable goods from the north have been ruined, and shipments from ports and companies, amounting to millions of naira, left stranded.
“The Senate express concerns that the non-completion of this few kilometres road, has been choking the life out of Ogbomoso people and Nigerians at large, as it is a transit road, connecting the people from the North to the South, hence the need for urgent action to be taken to avert further devastation.”
