ExpressDay
The Federal Government has begun mobilization to fix major arterial roads across the country ahead of the expected surge in road travels during this year’s Yuletide seasons.
Speaking at a meeting with road construction companies, ministry officials and the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, stated that the meeting was necessary in view of the demand of the upcoming season for high vehicular movements, more people traveling and increased activities of both importers and exporters on our major roads.
A statement by the Ministry’s Deputy Director, Press, Mr. Stephen Kilebi said the Minister explained that it was the responsibility of the ministry to ensure all necessary things were done and put in place in order to facilitate easy and smooth movement of travelers during the season.
While enjoining the Federal Road Safety Corps to intensify campaigns on over speeding and unlicensed drivers on our highways, Fashola advised that the Corps should apprehend and prosecute violators of highway rules and regulations for sanity and orderliness by road users. The Minister added that whenever there was orderliness on our highways by road users’ accidents on our roads would be reduced.
Fashola directed his Ministry’s Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation to list out all key arterial roads that need urgent attention and commence action immediately.
In his remarks, the Corps Marshall of the Federal Roads Safety Corp, Oyeyemi Boboye told the meeting about the arrangement put in place by his agency to facilitate the movement of travellers during the season and also listed some of the arterial roads and the diversions proposed.
The contractors handling the arterial roads assured the Minister of their cooperation to continue with the construction and rehabilitation work on the affected roads for ease of movement during the Yuletide season and after.
Some of the arterial roads to be fixed include the following among others: Ibadan-Lagos, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano, Shagamu-Mowe, Abraka-Agbor, Benin-Asaba, Auchi-Benin, Calabar-Nkom, Ogoja, Calabar-Itu-Uyo, Kontagora-Minna, Abuja-Lokoja, Oybomoso-Ilorin, Jos-Panshin, Enugu- Onitsha.
Some of the contractors that attended the meeting included: Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, Setraco, RCC, Mother Cart Nigeria Limited, CGC Nigeria Limited, Salini Nigeria Limited, CGCG among others.
