The House of Representatives on Tuesday called for urgent inclusion of Ajase-Ipo, Omu-Aran, Eruku-Egbe and Kabba road in the 2022 budget with a view to address the deplorable condition of the federal road.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Tunji Olawuyi, member representing Ekiti, Isin, Irepodun and Oke-ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State which was supported by other members.
In his lead debate, Hon. Olawuyi who observed that the ownership of all Trunk A roads linking various States of the Federation is under the purview of the Federal Government, through Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, underscored the need to embark on reconstruction of federal road with a view to halt the carnage of the road.
He added that most of the inter-state roads across the country, especially major roads that connect the North to the Southern region, had over the years suffered neglect.
This according to him is as a result of non-provision of funds by the authorities concerned.
While noting that the road that transverse between Ajase-Ipo, Kwara State through Omu-Aran / Eruku-Egbe and Kabba in Kogi State is a federal road, he lamented that no major construction work had so far been carried out by Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for a long time on the road.
Hon. Olawuyi stated that despite series of avoidable accidents that had claimed a lot of lives on the all-important route, no major repair or reconstruction had taken place on the road.
The lawmaker stated that the road served as a viable road for the transportation of agricultural produces to the Urban Cities, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to him, the current deplorable state of the Ajase-Ipo -Omu-Aran – Eruku-Egbe – Kabba road, provides enabling environment for armed robbers and kidnappers.
He added that theses criminal elements carried out heinous activities on the road, thereby subjecting thousands of road users into untold hardship including untimely death.
He said that motorists going to Kwara State from Abuja or Kabba often compelled to go en route Ekiti State because of the pitiable condition of Kabba – Omu-Aran road.
He called for urgent intervention of the Federal Government through Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to fix the road.
This he said would serve as immediate palliative in order to reduce the burden of commuters from travelling long distance to access Kwara State.
The House therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to take necessary steps toward providing lasting solutions to the road.
The House also urged the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola to carry out dualisation work on Ajase-Ipo – Omu-Aran – Eruku-Egbe – Kabba road.
He also urged Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the need to use the cement concrete for the project which is far cheaper and easy to maintain, while urging the ministry to prioritize its immediate fixing.
To this end, the House mandated the joint Standing Committees on Appropriations, Finance and Works to include the fund for the finalisation of the road in the 2022 budget proposal.
The House also mandated Standing Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure compliance for immediate maintenance of Ajase-Ipo, Omu-Aran, Eruku-Egbe, Kabba road for easy passage.
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