FG to link geo-political zones with dual carriage ways

ABUJA—The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would construct dual carriage way to link the six geographical zones in the country to reduce travel times as well as ease the hardship being encountered by travellers.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Mike Onelememen when he received membersof the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria in his office.

The luxury bus owners who were forced out of transport business in the past following deplorable condition of roads visited Onolememen to commend the Federal Government on the improvements made on federal highways.

They also said their buses had started plying the roads again as a result of the new improved condition of Nigeria roads.

However, the Minister promised that before the end of this administration, government willembark on the project of connecting the six geo-political zones of the country with dual carriageway.

He stated that the illegal activities on the Right of Way, ROW, along federal highways would be addressed as such roads would be physically demarcated and secured.

The luxury bus owners led by Chairman of ABC transport company, Mr. Frank Nneji, told the minister that they had travelled round the country, pointing out that, the good condition of roads nationwide showed the competence, professionalism and speed on the side of government. Onolememen, who was delighted to receive the bus owners, expressed appreciation that such words were great encouragement for government to improve further on the condition of roads.

He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had during inception of his government in 2011 made a commitment to make roads motorable in the country adding, ‘‘it is that article of faith that is driving us to deliver on his transformational promises.’’

The Minister further said that when he visited Onitsha, Anambra State, in 2011, he noticed the rate of dilapidation of the roads as well as gully erosion but said that the situation had since changed for the better in the commercialcity which was the gateway to South East.

According to him, Onitsha was now the ‘‘homeof good roads.’’ Onolememen further said that he “travelled by road recently from Abuja to Benin, Shagamu and Lagos and was very much delighted to seethe tremendous achievements of this administration on the provision of international standard road network.”

On tolling, he stated that the Federal Government had not yet decided on the issue due to its determination to give Nigerians an international standard road network.

Earlier, the Leader of the delegation and Chairman ABC Transport Mr. Frank Nneji, statedthat they were in the ministry to congratulate the Minster and his team for fixing the Nigerian Highways and not to complain of anything.

Nneji added that it was because of the fact that the roads were in good condition that made the ABC Transportation reduce its fares for Nigerians, pointing out that the associationwas delighted over the initiative to construct the Second Niger Bridge as well as re-construct and expand the Lagos-Ibadan Express way.