Lawmaker urges Fed. Govt to declare state of emergency on our roads

The Chairman, House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Hon. (Adele Oba) Kolawale Lawal has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the roads due to its deplorable condition.

Lawal, representative of Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State in an interview with our Correspondent said most of the roads in the country were constructed in 1960’s and they are already in terrible condition.
He said “our roads have become national embarrassment and shame.”
He said the condition of the roads degenerate day by day because of the pressure on them. “Most of our roads we use today were constructed in 1960’s. They were not constructed for the types of vehicles that ply on them today.
“The condition of our roads are getting bad because the goods that supposed to pass through waterways and railways now pass through roads.
“In the past, we used to have weigh bridges where trailers were weighed to ensure that the goods that they carried would not overstress the roads.
“Like the roads I moved a motion on today, Owode Yewa is already in deplorable condition. It is a road that is located on the Nigeria/Republic of Benin border. It is known for its economic activities which is one of the reasons that Ogun State earned the appellation ‘the Gateway’ State.”
According to Lawal, the state of emergency becomes the only option to put the roads in good condition because of lack of fund.
He said there are complaints of lack of fund. “The government can declare state of emergency and begin to select some of the roads and put them in good shape,” he said.
He said the Idiroko/Owode Yewa/Ota Road was constructed in early 1960’s to serve as a link between Nigeria, the Republic of Benin, Togo, Ghana and other neighbouring countries.

Hon. (Adele Oba) Kolawale Lawal

Earlier, on Wednesday November 6, Lawal while presenting a motion at the green chamber called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, NEMA to commence rehabilitation of the Idiroko/Owode Yewa/Ota Road.
He also in the motion, asked the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to make provision in the 2020 Budget for the expansion of the road.
He also requested the House Committee on Works, FEMA and Appropriation to ensure compliance. The motion was adopted.
He said the construction of the road, maintenance has scarcely been carried out, thus leaving the road in a deplorable state and thereby hindering both human and vehicular movements.
According to Lawal, the rehabilitation and expansion of the Idiroko/Owode Yewa/Ota Road will greatly improve economic and social activities in the area as well as enhance the lives of the people.