Travel from Benin To Calabar now takes days: HOSCON calls for urgent FG intervention

The Hoscon Traditional Rulers and Elders Advisory Council of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene and rehabilitate the deplorable federal roads across the South-South region, describing the current state as “a complete collapse.”

In a statement signed by its Chairman, HM King Obukowho Monday A. Whiskey, JP, Ph.D, UDURHIE I, Ovie of the Great Oil and Gas Rich Idjerhe Kingdom, the Council said residents now spend days travelling between major cities in the region due to the poor condition of the roads.

“It is saddening that virtually all federal roads in the South-South region have collapsed,” the statement read. “Our people now spend days to travel from Benin City to any part of the South-South. You can hardly travel from Warri to Benin or from Benin to Calabar.”

The Council noted that despite the relative peace maintained by traditional leadership in the region, there has been no adequate effort to address the deteriorating infrastructure.

According to the monarchs, the bad roads are crippling businesses and commerce while also worsening insecurity as criminal elements exploit the gridlocks and delays.

The Council urged the Federal Government to immediately mobilize competent construction contractors across the South-South to alleviate the suffering of commuters and road users.

It also demanded a sustainable maintenance policy for federal roads nationwide, rather than “running from pillar to post every rainy season.”

“Provision of essential infrastructure across all regions and a proper maintenance culture will go a long way to addressing the disconnect among our people and reducing regional agitations,” King Whiskey stated.

The Hoscon Council reaffirmed its commitment to peace in the region but stressed that urgent government action on infrastructure is critical to sustaining development and security in the South-South.