…Insists on Ban of Heavy-Duty Vehicles from State-Owned Roads
By Eguasa Godspower
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has raised concerns about the terrible state of federal roads in the state, warning that it poses a risk of cutting the state off from the rest of the country. During a State Security Council meeting held on April 11, 2023, Obaseki called for urgent intervention from the Federal Authorities to rehabilitate the bad and failed portions of major roads in Edo to allow for smooth transportation and to prevent the negative effects of bad roads.
Obaseki reiterated the state’s commitment to banning heavy-duty vehicles from plying state-owned roads, stating that most of the federal roads in Edo are becoming impassable and endangering communities due to flood and other negative effects. He expressed concern that unless urgent action is taken, the state may be cut off from the rest of the country, particularly the Northern and Southern parts, as passengers may not be able to cross Edo State to get to other parts of the country.
The Governor identified some roads that require immediate attention, such as the Sapele Road, Auchi Road, and parts of the Benin-Lagos road. He urged the Federal Authorities to commence rehabilitation work immediately as the heaviness of the rainy season is gradually setting in.
He said: “Council reviewed the transportation situation in the State, with the early onset of the rainy season, we are very worried that the State may be cut off from the rest of this country except something urgent is done.
“Council has received reports of many communities that have become very restive because of the bad state of federal roads connecting their communities.
“Edo State Government will continue to insist that it will not allow trucks and heavy-duty vehicles that are supposed to ply federal roads to use our inter-state roads because those roads were not built for those size of trucks”.
He went on to warn that: “We are very concerned and except something urgent is done by federal authorities now that the rains have just started, passengers may not be able to cross Edo State to get to other parts of the country particularly, the Northern parts and the South-South parts because the roads in a very bad state.
“Sapele road has become almost impassable now. If that is going on in April, you can imagine what that road will look like by the time heavy rain sets in June and July.
“Also, the Auchi road, and also parts of the Benin Lagos road. So, the council resolved to send a very urgent message to the Federal Authorities that something must be done immediately to begin to repair bad sections of these roads.” he said.
