By Abiola Olawale
In a passionate plea, His Royal Majesty, King Obukowho Monday Arthur Whiskey, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, has spoken up about what he called the deteriorating state of roads in Nigeria’s South-South region, labeling them “death traps” that have left communities isolated and lives at risk.
The monarch also urged both the Federal and State governments to initiate immediate action to address the situation.
The Ovie, speaking at his palace in Idjerhe town, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State,during an official cetemony described the dire situation, said the condition of major highways has effectively “locked” the South-South region, making travel a perilous endeavor. ”
The monarch said: “The best way to describe those roads is to say they are death traps.
“I used to drive from this palace to Benin in 28 minutes. But if you take off to Benin now, sometimes after 3 hours, you’ve not even crossed Ologbo or gotten to the bypass.
“We no longer have roads in South-South Nigeria. What we have now are not motorable roads, they are death traps.”
Citing the poor handling of road construction and rehabilitation projects, the monarch took a swipe at contractors along the Benin–Warri route.
“Go to Ologbo, the contractors are just rigmaroling in one spot. For 3 years now, they’ve not moved. If they finish one side, they put up a barricade, and you expect all the trucks from Northern and Western Nigeria heading to the South-South to squeeze through? It’s unacceptable.”
