Abiodun seeks emergency on federal roads in Ogun

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday urged the National Assembly to declare a state of emergency on federal roads within the state.

Abiodun, who stated this when he received the Senate Committee on Works in his office, insisted that his appeal had become inevitable because federal roads in the state “are in terrible poor states.”

He said that all federal roads in the state were hindrance to economic activities in the corridor that passes through the state, which he described as the nation’s Gateway State.

“I want to call on you (committee members) to help us declare an emergency on the state of our federal roads. It is as if they are non-existent.

“We looked at these roads and we said they are important for people to be able to move between the states and the sub-region that share borders with us. We are appealing because it’s the only way we can continue to promote the economic development of our state.

“We are also developing the country and the multiplier effect can be imagined. Whatever it is that we do by bringing industries to Ogun State, the taxes are going to the federal purse; whatever it is that we do directly or indirectly, the Federal Government is benefitting. So, it is important for us to look out for ways and means to see how we can ensure that people can move with relative ease,” he said.

He, however, said that the population “explosion” being experienced in the country had made the six-lane road pattern on Lagos-Ibadan expressway “outdated.”

He instead suggested at least a 10-lane road pattern as the minimum. That, he said, must be considered by the Federal Government for the road, which he described as the busiest in the country.

In his response, the Chairman, Senate Committee for Works, Adamu Aliero, disclosed that they were in the state to inspect all federal projects, particularly road projects.

According to him, their on-the-spot assessment confirmed that immediate attention would be needed to give the people relief.