By Helen Ovbiagele

Understandably, not only were our readers very concerned about the state of our roads, particularly Ore/Benin Road which the media have been highlighting for several years now, they were very angry about the apparent lack of serious sense of responsibility that the government has been displaying about it.

Some felt that though it is a federal road, the states through which the road runs, particularly Ondo and Edo states, should feel concerned about the agony of users of that very important road. Apart from the danger to which human lives are exposed, there’s the huge loss of earnings on the part of traders, transporters and farmers due to the long delay on that very bad road. This has led to escalating food prices, among other things.

A few readers believe that nothing short of a revolution on the part of Nigerians, can get the government to wake up and act fast and properly. That road needs total rehabilitation. Some wondered why the Ministers of Works appointed from Edo State so far, have not been able to perform and have it fixed.

“Madam, thank you that once again you’re joining the throng of Nigerians who are appealing to the Federal Government and the Ondo and Edo states governments, to do something concrete immediately about this very busy road. I live in Ore town which is very central and crucial to the journey from Lagos to the eastern and northern parts of the country. It’s a cosmopolitan town comprising almost all ethnic groups, of which many are traders and farmers, who need good roads for their means of livelihood to sustain them.

Now, if farmers’ crops are to rot away on their farms because transport fares are high due to the bad roads which cause extensive damage to vehicles, and traders can’t make frequent trips to re-stock and there’s low patronage, and transporters are limited to just one trip a day instead of the normal three trips to Benin, Lagos, Ibadan, etc., won’t these people, out of a desperation to feed, engage in criminal activities? We, the residents of Ore, are very familiar with the chaos you mentioned at the junctions of Ore 1 and 2. It’s a nightmare we have been living with for some time now, and the government doesn’t seem to care. Thank you, madam. Pa Kehinde.”

“Dear Helen, most times I feel very ashamed when our diaspora folks come home to experience what we go through on our roads. But like your guest opined, we are too complacent and afraid to act as a people. We don’t have a nationalist who can lead the entire nation against our inefficient leaders, because of our severe attachment to ethnic and tribal sentiments. The solution is that we should go back to regionalism as a system of government. – Sam Otu, Port Harcourt.”

“Good morning ma. Your story on our bad roads is commendable. Ore road is just one of many death-trap roads in our country. Our governments don’t value human lives. They are not performing at all.”

“Dear Helen, I enjoyed your Sunday viewpoint on the Ore/Benin Road. Can’t your friend show us how the mess can be tackled as in other civilised parts of the world? Please, press for her suggestions before another round of brain drain caused by bad roads takes place.”

“Madam, just how many times would citizens of this country, through the media, complain about the horrible state of our roads throughout the country? Let’s face facts. Our rulers at the top never get their priorities right. You would think they don’t live in this country and breathe the same air as the rest of us.

Even if they don’t travel by road because they have money for air fare, don’t they have relatives who use the roads? Would they say these ones have never complained to them? Do they want the entire nation to take to violent protests on the roads, or go on an endless strike before they are moved to fix our roads in a responsible manner? Their inefficiency and insensitivity beat the imagination. Please, you press people shouldn’t be intimidated or discouraged into keeping silent over the ills in our society. That’s the only way the nation can move forward. Thanks. – Samuel, Ibadan.”

“Sister Helen, I know that you said you and your friend were in Benin City for only three days. Still, surely you noticed that getting into the ancient city from Lagos through New Lagos Road, is a nightmare due to the terrible state of the road, bad drainage, flood and chaotic traffic.

On my way to Asaba, I stopped in Benin for two days, and I could hardly venture out. Yes, they have heavy rains and erosion in the area, as you said in your piece, but a lot can be done to improve the drainage and all the roads. On the other side of Benin, the road to Asaba was a joy. The Edo State governor is an active and enlightened person. I just wonder what the matter could be. Maybe he needs more funds and cooperation. Thanks, Andy, Lagos.”

“Aunty Helen, bonjeur! With regards to the piece ‘Ore Road chaos……., with due respect to our Traditional Father, I think the three Edo State indigenes, that have served as Ministers of Works at the Federal level since 1999, haven’t paid serious attention, as far as the rehabilitation of the failed portions of the Benin/Lagos federal highway and other federal roads nationwide, are concerned. We should endeavour to put certified structural/civil engineers in that position. Competent Nigerians should be at the head otherwise, federal roads, nationwide will remain in its present deplorable state. – from Celestine, mnse.

“Madam H.O., thanks for your piece on the Benin/Ore road. I find it difficult to believe that though Edo State indigenes have been made Federal Works ministers by past and present government, that road remains in a terrible condition. Doesn’t the present Works Minister visit Edo State by road? – Vincent Efeakpor, Warri.”

We thank all those who sent in their views.