News
Senate Summons Minister Umahi Over Abandoned Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road Project
he contractor responsible for that section has abandoned the site, even as other parts have been completed.
Abuja, Nigeria- The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to address concerns about the stalled Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road project.
This action comes in response to a motion raised on Wednesday, emphasizing the urgent need to complete this vital transport route, which plays a significant role in the distribution of goods and travel across Nigeria.
The Senate Committee on Works, chaired by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South-East), will question Umahi regarding the circumstances that led to the contractor’s abandonment of the project.
The committee’s objective is to uncover the reasons for the construction halt and explore solutions to restart the project.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, APC, Oyo North, who sponsored the motion, emphasized the transportation sector’s role in ensuring economic stability.
He pointed out that a well-functioning road network is essential for regulating market prices and facilitating the movement of goods and people.
In addition to summoning Umahi, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to expedite the rehabilitation of the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road to prevent further deterioration and negative impacts on transportation in the region.
He stated that the Senate acknowledges that over the past month, the people of Ogbomoso land have faced an unprecedented crisis due to a tragic accident involving petrol tankers.
According to him, the incident has caused traffic congestion, rendered many residents homeless, paralyzed local economic activities, and resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
The Senate also recognizes that the situation has worsened as commuters have been diverted to the old Ogbomoso-Oyo road, also known as the Takie-Bowen-Seminary-Emayo-Caretaker Federal Road, while the new Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road has been under reconstruction since 2007.
Senator Buhari pointed out that although the Federal Government initiated the road reconstruction by assigning different sections to various contractors for expedited completion, the Ogbomoso-Oyo road remains unfinished.
The contractor responsible for that section has abandoned the site, even as other parts have been completed.
He expressed concern that the temporary diversion onto the old Ogbomoso-Oyo Federal Road, which has been heavily trafficked by trucks since 2020, is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Moreover, he noted that while the goal of the rehabilitation is to enhance infrastructure, the prolonged use of this temporary route has led to significant damage to many roads in Ogbomoso, resulting in chaos and entrapment for local residents.
“Further alarming is that this road, measuring less than 500 meters, has turned into a deathtrap, causing numerous accidents recently. Over ten accidents have occurred within just a few days, leading to fatalities, injuries, and substantial impacts on local businesses, including the spoilage of perishable goods from the north and stranded shipments valued in millions of naira.”
He added that the delay in completing this short stretch of road is suffocating the people of Ogbomoso and Nigerians at large, as it serves as a crucial transit route connecting the North and South.
Therefore, he called for immediate action to prevent further devastation.