Former Senate President decries poor state of federal roads

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Former Senate President in the third Republic Sen. Iyorchia Ayu has decried the continued marginalization of Benue State by the Federal Government in the area of infrastructural development.
The erstwhile Senate President expressed this grievance yesterday in Gboko local government area during the Commissioning of reconstructed Ahmadu Bello Way by Governor Samuel Ortom.
Sen. Ayu said it the right of the State to have good infrastructures as an entity in Nigeria despite been an opposition State.
“There are several road projects in the State especially in Gboko. When I was minister for Environment under the Obasanjo Government, I tried hard to address the issue of erosion but it was never captured in the budget.
“Most of the roads that pass through the State are Federal government roads. It is our entitlement to have good roads. I call on our National Assembly members to tell the President to fix our roads.It is wrong for the Buhari administration to construct rail line from Kano to Niger Republic. The money should be channeled to repair of roads in the State. We do not need a rail line to Niger. The allied forces have ganged up against you but do not be distracted. As long as you are doing what the people want and defending us, no one will do anything to you.
Governor Samuel Ortom also, lamented over the raging menace of erosion in Gboko, Otukpo and Ogbadibo local government areas, intimating that a survey has been done with federal ministry of Environment on them.
“I appeal to the President, FG and all APC leaders in the State to beg for the repair of Federal roads which are in a very bad State. I condemn the Federal government construction of rail line to Niger Republic. This fund can be used to reconstruct rail lines especially Makurdi – Kaduna, Port Harcourt – Makurdi and Lagos – Makurdkin the country. Of what benefit will the rail line to Niger do to us. The FG should Come and salvage Federal roads in the State. It is not a crime to have a PDP government in Benue. The roads cannot be used only by PDP people but all. FG shd be liberal to all states in construction of roads”, Ortom fumed.