Senator urges Senate to demand balanced approach to national road development
Senator Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Minister of Works, David Umahi, of neglecting critical federal roads linking Edo and Delta states, urging the Senate to intervene and demand a more balanced approach to road infrastructure development across the country.
Oshiomhole raised the concerns during plenary, arguing that the Federal Government should prioritise the rehabilitation of existing roads in poor condition rather than approving new projects while critical routes remain severely deteriorated.
The former Edo State governor specifically highlighted the condition of major highways connecting Benin City to Warri, Benin City to Asaba, Benin City to Auchi, and Auchi to Okene.
According to him, motorists travelling along the routes face significant challenges, despite the strategic importance of the roads to commerce, transportation and regional connectivity.
Oshiomhole also questioned why the affected road sections have allegedly not received adequate federal budgetary attention over the past three years.
He said the situation was particularly concerning because previous efforts had already been made to draw the Works Ministry’s attention to the condition of the roads.
The senator further said that some intervention had only become possible through President Bola Tinubu’s directive permitting the use of tax credits to address portions of the affected road network.
Oshiomhole urged the Senate leadership to prevail on Umahi to adopt what he described as a truly national outlook in the allocation and execution of federal road projects.
He argued that infrastructure development should not be perceived through regional or political considerations, but should instead be guided by the needs and strategic importance of roads across Nigeria.
The senator’s intervention comes amid continuing concerns over the condition of major highways across the country, with deteriorating federal roads affecting commuters, businesses, transport operators and communities.
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