In Support Of Senate’s Roads Probe

During a recent plenary, the Senate mandated its Committee on Works (when constituted) to investigate
the award of contracts for the rehabilitation of Aba–Osisioma, Port Harcourt, Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene Roads. The committee is tasked with investigating the level of funds released, utilisation, and the amount of work done so far. This serves as a reminder to Nigerians that the roads they ply predispose them to torture, suffering, and insecurity.
The Senate passed the resolution after discussing and approving a motion titled “Urgent Need to Investigate Delay in Completion of Umuahia Umudike–Ikot Ekpene, Aba–Ikot Ekpene, and Aba–Osisioma to Port Harcourt Roads.” This motion was sponsored by Darlington Nwokocha (LP, Abia). The Senate’s directive reflects the public’s deep concern regarding the terrible condition of these roads.
The Federal Government awarded the road contract to CGCC Global Project Nigeria Limited, Heartland and Raycon Construction Company, and China Civil Engineering Construction Company. The project is funded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, pursuant to the Presidential Executive Order 007 of 2019. Its objective is to enhance Nigeria’s national road asset and address the critical infrastructure deficit.
The NNPC had allocated N621.24 billion to reconstruct 21 critical roads, including the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Umudike–Ikot Ekpene Roads, for the Federal Government. Despite spending over N15 billion on these roads, the Umuahia Umudike–Ikot Ekpene Roads are only 6 per cent complete as of April this year.
Unfortunately, the deplorable state of the Aba–Port Harcourt Expressway has caused economic stagnation in the city, leading to the closure of over 1,000 businesses. This has negatively impacted the standard of living, youth unemployment, government revenue, and overall productivity.
We back the Senate’s probe and urge it to require the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to address deteriorating roads in Aba, Umuahia, Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, and Port Harcourt. These roads are vital for economic and social well-being, transportation for NNPC Limited, and facilitating petroleum product distribution. Delays in road projects have led to massive loss in agricultural produce.
Similarly, the East–West Road in the Niger-Delta region has been experiencing consistent failures in completion since 2006. This major economic artery connects various parts of the country, including the South-South, South-East, and South-West. To address this matter, the Senate also formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the repeated failures.
Despite adequate funding, the project has withered, causing hardship and neglect for the people. The abandonment of this national asset also leads to a substantial loss of revenue for the government. The road is home to vital infrastructure and industries, including refineries, petrochemicals, an Oil and Gas Economic Free Zone, and a Deep-Sea Port NPA. Addressing these issues is crucial for the nation’s growth.
According to the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission, Nigeria has a total of 195,000 km of roads, with approximately 35,000 km being federally owned. Regrettably, a significant portion of these roads is in a state of disrepair owing to years of neglect and lack of maintenance. Some sections have even completely collapsed.
In 2021, truck drivers took laws into their hands and blockaded a long stretch of the federal highway in Niger State, claiming that the road had completely failed. More recently, petroleum tanker drivers have issued strike notices following the deplorable condition of the roads they traverse, which has resulted in vehicle accidents, fires, and increased vulnerability to highway robbery.
Successive Nigerian governments have consistently disregarded the dire signs of neglect towards critical road infrastructure. A prime example of this is the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which is widely recognised as the country’s most vital route. Astonishingly, the road has been undergoing reconstruction since 2004, spanning the presidencies of Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari. Regardless of substantial financial allocations on paper, the 127 km road remains far from completion.
A promise to fast-track the completion of the highway with the release of $311 million from three foreign governments in 2020 was shrouded in opacity. Sad to say that the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, the Ibadan–Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin Expressway, and other highways remain unfinished despite several years after its commencement. This has negatively impacted travellers, tourism and businesses.
The Federal Government must address the issue of damaged roads, as they are critical to the economy and development of a country. State governors, driven by their desire to bring development to their areas, have been known to undertake road reconstruction or rehabilitation. Former Rivers governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and a few others successfully maintained and repaired some federal roads in their states.
Things must change. The Public-Private Partnership option is popular in many countries and should be pursued to address the current situation. However, in the meantime, it is crucial for the federal and state governments to collaborate and find a solution. Given that the roads are located within the states, they are the ones most affected. Therefore, a joint effort between states and the Federal Government is inescapable to ensure the delivery of quality roads at a reasonable cost.