Reps ask FERMA to commence rehabilitation of Benue roads linking north and south

The house of representatives has asked the federal government to declare a state of emergency on the Naka- Makurdi-Aliade-Gboko and Aliade-Otukpo federal roads network.

The lawmakers asked the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the ministry of works to “immediately” commence rehabilitation of the roads.

The legislators passed the resolution during the plenary session on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Austin Achado from Benue.

While debating his motion, Achado said the roads link the north-east, north-central, south-south and south-east through Benue state

He said the condition of the road has become “an albatross and a huge embarrassment” to the farming communities, other strategic users and commuters that transit goods through Benue.

The legislator added that the road has become “so dilapidated” and is “now tagged death-trap and security threat to all contiguous citizens” that transport their farm produce to other regions.

“The road not only reduces commercial activities as a result of a high rate of accidents on the road and loss of man-hours but drastically increases activities of criminals, armed robbery and kidnapping, which have become more frequent due to the poor condition of the road,” he said.

He said the neglect of the road has wreaked havoc on the nation’s food security, especially at this moment of increasing economic pressure on the rural population, further fueled by the growing cost of transportation arising from recent fuel subsidy removal.

The motion was voted for when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, after which the parliament urged the ministry of works to ensure that adequate budgetary provision is made in the 2024 budget to “comprehensively” rehabilitate the road.

The lawmakers mandated the committee on works when constituted to ensure implementation.