Urgent Appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria: Addressing the Shagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway Crisis
By Abayomi Odunowo.
We, the concerned citizens and stakeholders, feel compelled to voice our deep-seated concern regarding the distressing state of the Shagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway. The anguish felt by countless motorists and travelers daily has reached alarming levels, demanding your immediate intervention. This highway, a crucial artery connecting the South-West, South-South, and South-East regions, is in desperate need of attention. While we appreciate that repair activities are underway, the slow pace of work and disorganized traffic management have escalated a local crisis into a nationwide predicament that requires your immediate action.
Imagine spending over five hours stuck on a road network that you once trusted to facilitate your journey. Just days ago, thousands of motorists were trapped between Odogbolu and Ososa, rendered helpless by poorly managed repair activities. This is not just an inconvenience; it is a profound disruption to everyday life. The inconvenience manifests not just in prolonged travel times but also in missed appointments, increased fuel costs, and emotional stress. For many, this road serves as the gateway to livelihoods, connecting traders, commuters, freight distributors, and emergency services to their intended destinations.
Key Concerns
1. Slow Pace of Repairs: Though we recognize that some repair activities are ongoing, the progress is painfully slow. Rainy season conditions worsen not only the state of the road but also the safety of those who navigate it. Widespread potholes and crumbling infrastructures pose a serious risk to vehicles and lives alike.
2. Inadequate Traffic Management: As repair processes stretch on indefinitely, the lack of efficient traffic management has created unprecedented gridlocks. Motorists are left stranded for hours, often without clear information or alternative routes. This negligence leads to financial losses, stress, and aggravation among the population.
3. Economic and Social Impacts: The current decay of this vital road has economic repercussions that ripple through our society. With transportation costs inflating and the movement of goods hampered, local businesses suffer. Moreover, the added delays put lives at risk, especially for those reliant on emergency services. We must consider the human cost of this crisis.
Our Urgent Appeal
In light of these pressing issues, we respectfully request the Federal Government through the minister of works to take the following decisive actions:
1. Accelerate the Pace of Repairs: We urge you to deploy additional resources—contractors, labor, and modern equipment—to expedite the rehabilitation process. A sense of urgency must permeate every level of this initiative.
2. Implement Effective Traffic Management: Establish clear detour routes, deploy proper signage, and station traffic officers to facilitate vehicle flow during repair activities. It is of utmost importance that motorists feel guided and informed while traversing this life-threatening stretch of road.
3. Prioritize Completion of Critical Sections: Focus should remain on the most damaged stretches of the expressway. Completing these areas first would bring immediate relief to affected motorists, lessen travel times, and restore a modicum of faith in our road networks.
4. Engage Stakeholders: Foster collaborations between the federal government, state governments, transport unions, and local communities. Working together, we can create practical, innovative solutions for managing traffic during ongoing construction projects.
We believe that promptly addressing these multi-faceted issues with both urgency and commitment will not only relieve the immediate suffering of road users but will also reaffirm citizens’ faith in the government’s dedication to improving critical infrastructure.
The Shagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway is not merely a road; it is a lifeline for millions of Nigerians. We implore you to recognize the gravity of this situation. Lives, livelihoods, and the journey to progress itself hinge on your swift and effective action.
We trust that this urgent appeal will receive the attention it deserves, and we look forward to witnessing tangible improvements on our roads in the coming days.
Otunba Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo
National Chairman AATSG
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