Sequel to the poor condition of the Lagos – Ore-Benin expressway, and other parts of the country,the Assocation of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to urgently intervene on the rehabilitation of the deplorable federal road networks across the country.

The association noted that this issue has been a recurring incident, and that a lot of fatal accidents being recorded on so many occasions, has led to deaths on the Benin-Ore-Lagos expressway.

ALBON in a communiqué issued at the end of its crucial meeting recently has said that the failure of the federal government to address this issue immediately may force the association to withdraw its services across the country.

In a six-point communiqué signed by the assocation’s secretary, frank Nneji, the body believed that the solution to the hydra-headed problem could be approached through the immediate institution of programmed maintenance on all highways, with over 5,000 average traffic per day.

The association also advocated that funding for the road maintenance should be separated from road development, rehabilitation and reconstruction, as they are clearly distinct, so that the roads can be properly maintained.

It also stated that the constitution of a traffic compliance taskforce on the Ore tollgate/second Ore junction stretch will ensure that motorists comply with the proper use of lanes.

The group also appealed to President Umaru yar’Adua and the minister of works to come to the aid of the association and other road users, who daily suffer untold hardship.

ALBON, the communiqué further stated, believed that a long lasting accident-free road network across the country could be achieved through urgent interventionist programme on the Shagamu-Benin axis.

This according to the communiqué will restore normal flow of traffic on the highway, through the provision of immediate maintenance intervention regime.

It went further to highlight the importance of equipping the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to be able to intervene on all major high ways so as to ensure free passage of vehicles year round across the country.

Corlins Walter