Declare state of emergency on federal roads, abiodun urges senate committee

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has called on the Senate to declare State of Emergency on Federal roads within the State saying this was pertinent due to the deplorable condition of Federal roads in the State.

Penpushing reports that, the Governor made the call when he received the Senate Committee on Works in his office, noted that the roads had been almost impassable for road users plying the corridor, as well as affecting economic activities in the area..

“When we economically develop our State, we are also developing the country. Whatever we do to bring industries to Ogun State, the taxes are going to the federal purse, so it is important for us to find ways and means to ensure that people move with relative ease”, he said.

The Governors  said the population explosion being experienced in the country had made the six-lane road pattern outdated, advocating a minimum of ten- lane pattern for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which he noted, was the busiest in the country.

Penpushing further reports that, he  added that it was important for Federal Government to rehabilitate alternative routes like the Sagamu-Ikorodu and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Roads, which could serve as options to the people, informing the Committee of his administration and his Lagos State counterpart’s efforts at ensuring that the two roads were released to them by Federal Government for reconstruction.

“These are commercial roads; we will privatise them and not revert to the Federal Government for any refund”, he said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Adamu Aliero,  responding disclosed that they were in the State to inspect all federal road projects, adding that on the spot assessments had confirmed that immediate attention was needed on the roads to give the people respite.

Penpushing also reports that, Aliero commended the State Government and its Lagos counterpart for deeming it fit to seek permission to rehabilitate the Sagamu-Ikorodu and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Roads, noting that, the Senate would encourage such initiative for the development of the nation.

“The Ikorodu-Sagamu road is in a very serious state of dilapidation and it requires urgent attention. We will encourage and give all necessary support to any government that wants to repair any federal road. In fact, we can even amend the laws; we don’t see any reason why roads that are in bad shape