ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Senate has summoned the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to explain the circumstances behind the abandonment of the Ogbomoso-Oyo Road project, a crucial transportation route linking key regions.
The road has been under reconstruction since 2007, and the Senate’s concern follows a motion raised during Wednesday’s (October 2, 2024) plenary session, emphasising the need for its urgent completion.
The Senate Committee on Works, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi (PDP, Rivers South-East), is tasked with questioning Umahi about why the project was halted and finding solutions to ensure its resumption.
The committee’s investigation will focus on the contractor’s reasons for leaving the site and the steps needed to restart construction.
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC, Oyo North), who sponsored the motion, stressed the significance of a functioning road network for Nigeria’s economic stability.
“A well-maintained transport system is essential for regulating market prices and facilitating the movement of goods and people,” he said, underscoring the importance of completing the Ogbomoso-Oyo road.
The Senate has also called on the Federal Government to expedite the rehabilitation of the old Ogbomoso-Oyo Road, a vital alternative route now deteriorating under increased traffic pressure.
The old road, known as the Takie-Bowen-Seminary-Emayo-Caretaker Federal Road, has seen a surge in usage as commuters are diverted there due to the ongoing delays in completing the new Ogbomoso-Oyo Road.
In his remarks, Senator Buhari highlighted the crisis currently facing Ogbomoso residents, following a tragic accident involving petrol tankers that led to widespread traffic congestion, destruction of property, and loss of lives.
“The incident has rendered many residents homeless, paralyzed local economic activities, and worsened the already dire transportation conditions in the region,” he said.
Buhari further noted that while other sections of the road had been completed by assigned contractors, the portion of the Ogbomoso-Oyo Road remains unfinished due to the contractor abandoning the project.
The Senate expressed frustration at the delay, stressing that the road has been under construction for over a decade.
The Senate’s motion seeks not only to resume work on the Ogbomoso-Oyo road but also to prevent future accidents and improve the overall transport infrastructure in the region.
