Poor condition of roads has turned veritable tools for bandits, kidnappers _Umahi

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Nweze Umahi, on Thursday, bemoaned poor condition of Nigerian roads, stating that it had turned veritable tools for bandits and kidnappers.

Umahi who posited that kidnappers and bandits take advantage of potholes and poor surface conditions of roads to unleash mayhem on road users, added that it has equally become a leading cause of road accidents.

He made the remarks while delivering the 20th convocation lecture of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, titled “Transforming Our Road Networks for National Development: Challenges and Prospects,” at Agbani Enugu State.

 The Works Minister who was represented by the Senator representing Ebonyi North and the Chief Whip in the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, also noted that there is low budgetary allocation to road infrastructure in the country, adding that about N300 to N500 billion is required annually to maintain federal roads.

He however said that the government of President Bola Tinubu is addressing the bad conditions of Nigerian roads through what he called “Renewed Hope Legacy Infrastructure Projects” which include Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, and Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway among others.

According to the Minister, roads serve as arteries through which commerce flow as they  facilitates trade and foster economic growth.

“Nigeria with its vast landmass of 923,768 square kilometers and a population of  over 200 million, has a road network of approximately 200,000 kilometers. However, a staggering 63% of these roads remain untarred and most are in a state of despair,” he equally said.

Earlier, in his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, lauded the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Works in addressing road infrastructure in Nigeria, stating that since the assumption of Senator Umahi, as the Minister of Works, there has been great transformation in road construction in Nigeria.

He however said that the Enugu-Port Harcourt, and Enugu-Onitsha express roads have been abandoned and turned into death traps for commuters.

While lauding the continued support of the Enugu State Governor, Barr Peter Mbah on ESUT, he stated that his Management through the support of the Governing Council, Senate and students’ leadership, has stabilized staff promotions and conducted comprehensive staff regularization in the University.

He further explained that the University has recorded great feats and expansion in her programmes, adding that it has also attained 97% accreditation of her courses from the National Universities Commission, NUC and other academic regulatory bodies.

Also, in his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Chinedu Nebo,  lauded the Management of the University for unprecedented achievements in infrastructure upgrade and staff welfare.

He added that road infrastructure is critical to national development and should be given priority attention to ensure sustainable national development.