The Edo State has threatened to block all the state access roads which are linked to federal roads in a couple of days time adding that it is its way to call the attention of the federal government to the deplorable state of its (federal) roads.
Message to this effect was made public by Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state at a Press Briefing held at the party’s office in Benin City.
Aziegbemi accused the federal government of totally abandoning its roads in Edo State as a way of punishing the state.
“It became necessary for us to call your attention, as well as the attention of well meaning Nigerians to the current dilapidating nature of basic infrastructure, the downturn in the economy. The man hours lost, the hygienic situation along the roads as well as the structural development of small and medium-scale businesses in the country.
“We are all aware that Nigeria is currently under a new dispensation and government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Ordinarily, some will say it is too early to be critical of the government but the fact remains that even when this administration is seen to be under a different or new personality of Bola Tinubu, the fact remains that it is still the same party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). So, it is just a mere analysis of the same vehicle but different driver.
“At this point, we have to say here and emphatically at that, that the FG should declare a state of emergency on the nation’s road infrastructure which has totally collapsed under their watch for an upward of 8years.
“It may interest you to know that the FG under the APC had been nonchallant about this infrastructure cutting across the length and breath of the country. One may not be far from been right if one says it is a deliberate attempt by the FG to annihilate the south, most especially the south-south, from the rest of the country.
“For as much as one may be tempted to expouse on the effect of the failed system of the generality of nigerians, we are more concerned on the effect of this on our people in Edo State.
“You know by our natural and divinely placed location in Nigeria, Edo is a transit state that links the west to the east, to the north and so on. We serve as the main link that binds the Nigerian people together.
“It is so sad that there is no road that enters, exits or within our state that is FG road that is in a motorable state. Is it the Lagos-Ore-Benin Road that became a death trap, most especially by Ovia River?Alternatively, one may be tempted to ply the Akure-Owo- Benin Road. That temptation is laced with regret as you will be trapped there for days at the risk of attendant security challenges.
“Let’s look at the road linking Edo State to Delta and the other south-south state via Sapele Road axis, it’s a sorry tale. Is it the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi-Lokoja Road that has virtually become non existent you want to talk about? All these are indicators of systemic failure of government on the part of the FG.”
Going further, he stressed: “The effects of these bad road infrastructure on the transport community, the commuters, businesses and other related indices of the economy are quantifiable.
“Are you aware that Nigerians sleep days on these roads, are you aware that farm goods, food stuff perish daily without getting to the terminal consumers at a great loss to the farmers, transporters and business men. Are you aware that livestock die in their hundreds at great loss to the people and the economy and all these losses make no meaning to the FG?
“We as a people, government and party are very worried about this seemingly nonchalant attitude of the FG. Let me inform you that they, the APC & the FG would come up and say, why can’t the state effect a repair?
“The red-tapism, bureaucratic bottleneck involved in attempt to do this, is killing. The FG has said no state should venture into constructing its already awarded road project as no refund would be made.
“Again, the FG said their roads have peculiar specifications which would never be compromised etc, etc.
“We are by this briefing calling on the FG to look into the book, update itself the the status of these roads, and do the needful. Nigerians have lost enough human, time and resources to the bad state of Nigerian roads.
“We are appealing to our dear people of Edo state to bear with the FG even as we give assurances that we will continue to fix link state roads to serve as by-pass to the failed FG roads.”
On the forthcoming local government councils polls in the state, the party chairman said: “The leader of the party and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki led the PDP Edo State Campaigns for the 2nd of September Local Government election to Edo North and Edo Central. Eleven local governments in all.
“The turnout was massive. The people were enthused joy and happiness. They expressed their total support for his administration and prayed for God’s wisdom and protection.”
