NARTO seeks repair of 65km Oyo-Ogbomosho highway

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners has called on the Federal Government and the Ministry of Works to urgently rehabilitate the 65-kilometre Oyo-Ogbomosho highway.

It said the timely repair is crucial to prevent potential spillage of petroleum products, which pose safety risks to the surrounding communities and road users.

The call comes days after an explosion involving a tanker conveying petroleum products in Jigawa State.

The association’s president, Yusuf Othman, in a letter addressed to the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Works, David Umahi, on Friday, said the deteriorating condition of the highway has caused traffic to come to a complete standstill for several days.

The letter titled: “Urgent Attention Needed on Oyo-Ogbomosho Highway” was to draw the government’s attention to the worsening state of the road.

The NARTO boss insisted that urgent and immediate attention on the road has become expedient to forestall colossal damage to lives and property.

The letter read, “We wish to commend the federal government for its commendable efforts to rehabilitate roads and highways across the country. However, we write to bring to your esteemed attention the worsening condition of the Oyo-Ogbomosho Highway, which has been holding traffic to a standstill for several days.

“There is an urgent and immediate need for accelerated attention on this critical road.”

The NARTO president said the Oyo-Ogbomosho Highway plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economic and social development, serving as a key artery for the movement of goods, passengers, and essential services between the northern and southern parts of the country.

According to him, the highway’s deteriorating condition has already caused severe gridlock, resulting in extended travel delays, economic losses, and heightened safety risks.

He disclosed that the consequences of the state of the road collapse are felt not just by NARTO members but by the entire population that depends on the road for their daily activities.

Describing the road as perilous, he reminded the government of the inflammable products that are stranded in the middle of nowhere and how disastrous their explosion could be.

The letter added, “We would like to draw your attention, particularly to the risk of traffic gridlocks involving tankers transporting inflammable materials.

“The potential for accidents is high under the current conditions, and the consequences could be catastrophic.

“As we have sadly seen in the past, most notably with the tragic Incident in Jigawa State where more than 90 lives were lost, the failure to address road conditions can lead to unnecessary and preventable disasters.

“We urge that all necessary actions be taken to avoid a similar tragedy on this vital road.”

Othman also said, “Considering this, we respectfully request that your office prioritize the rehabilitation of the Highway and fast-track whatever measures are necessary to restore safe, free-flowing traffic. We also recommend that immediate temporary measures be put in place to address the current bottlenecks while more comprehensive repair work is undertaken.

The NARTO boss expressed confidence in the leadership and commitment of the ministry to the improvement of the country’s road infrastructure.

He pledged the association’s support for any government initiative tailored to bring lasting solutions to the highway.

Othman, who said he looked forward to seeing positive developments, reiterated that NARTO members’ safety depends on a swift government intervention.

He said, “We remain confident in your leadership and commitment to improving Nigeria’s road infrastructure and are willing to support any initiatives that would bring lasting solutions to this issue.

“The safety and well-being of road users, including our members, depend on swift and decisive action.

“Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to seeing positive developments on this urgent matter, the letter concluded.