The Southern Solidarity Alliance, a civil society organization, has raised concerns about the worsening state of federal roads in southern Nigeria, urging President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency to address the critical situation.
In a letter titled “President, please declare a state of emergency on the deplorable and decrepit federal roads in southern Nigeria: an SOS,” the group’s National Coordinator, Ndubuisi Okafor, highlighted several key roads in dire need of reconstruction. Among them are Ipele-Isua, Benin-Auchi, Nsukka-Enugu, Sagamu-Ore, Ore-Benin, Benin-Asaba, Onitsha-Owerri-Aba, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Uyo-Calabar, East-West Road, and Ibadan-Iwo-Oshogbo Road.
The group emphasized that years of neglect have left these roads in disrepair, posing significant dangers to motorists and impeding regional connectivity.
“The condition of these roads has led to pain, suffering, and death for many Nigerians. Some sections have sunk as much as nine feet into the ground, turning them into death traps and hotspots for criminal activities, including kidnappings,” the letter read.
The group expressed frustration over the socio-economic impact of the deteriorating infrastructure, describing it as a hindrance to the economy and a threat to public safety.
“This neglect is heartbreaking. Many lives have been lost, and countless others permanently disabled due to accidents on these roads,” Okafor stated.
The alliance urged the Presidency to prioritize the reconstruction of these roads to improve safety, foster regional economic activities, and restore public confidence in the government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
