By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The Senate at plenary yesterday summoned the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, to explain the continued delay in completing the Oyo-Ogbomoso federal highway.
The red chamber decision was a sequel to considering a motion sponsor red by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, who represents Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
His colleagues approved Buhari’s two prayers in the motion.
The Senate unanimously urged the Federal Government to direct the relevant authorities to rehabilitate the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road as soon as possible to forestall further adverse events on the road.
It also mandated the Senate Committee on Works to invite the Minister of Works to unravel the circumstance(s) that led to the contractor’s abandonment of the portion of the Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road project.
Buhari underscored the importance of good roads, saying that they prevent avoidable accidents and facilitate the movement of goods and services.
He said, “The Senate is aware that transportation ensures stable prices in different markets and enables traders to regulate the supply of goods at various locations based on changing demands.
“It notes that in the last month, the people of Ogbomoso land have been plunged into an unprecedented crisis, occasioned by a tragic petrol tanker accident that occurred on the road, which resulted in traffic 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 the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road, which is the Takie-Bowen-Seminary-Emayo-
“However, while other portions have been completed, the Ogbomoso-Oyo road is yet to be completed, as the contractor handling that portion has left the site.
“The Senate expressed worry that the old Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road, which the commuters have diverted to temporarily, is currently undergoing rehabilitation due to the high volume of trucks plying it since 2020.
“It also expresses worry that while 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 parts of the Ogbomoso metropolitan roads, leaving the people trapped and in chaos.
“It further expresses worry that this road, which is less than 500 meters long, has become a death trap, responsible for numerous accidents in recent times, as over ten accidents have occurred within just a few days.
“The development had 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,” Buhari added.
