Adedoyin moves motion on massive rehabilitation of LG roads for socio-economic development 

Oyo House of Assembly on Wednesday during its plenary adopted a motion calling on the state government to urgently embark on the massive rehabilitation and regular maintenance of local and rural roads for socio economic development of their areas of jurisdiction.

The motion, which was moved by the House majority leader, representing Ogbomoso South Constituency, Hon. S. A. Onaolapo, directed the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to embark on urgent rehabilitation of roads across the 33 local governments in Oyo state. 

Onaolapo asserted that it is the duty of the Local Government authority to ensure that both feeder and rural road networks are maintained, stressing the critical role that good roads play in a society’s socioeconomic development.

According to him, provision of good road network is a sine qua non to rapid development in Urban and Rural areas. The Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended fourth schedule item 1(f) states that: 

“Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lightings, drains and other public highways, parks, gardens, open space or such public facilities may be prescribed from time to time by the House of Assembly of a state” from part of the functions of a local government.”

Onaolapo noted that the condition of Local Government roads across the state is so pathetic to the extent that almost all feeder roads across the state are in deplorable conditions stressing that drainages had been blocked and erosion had washed away some of the roads.

He added that rural road as we speak are infrastructural eyesore as Farmers can no longer transport their farm produce to the market with ease.

According to the House majority leader, “In the recent past, some Local Government purchased earth equipment machines like bulldozer, grader, pay-loader e.t. to ensure grading and maintenance of local roads. However, Local Government roads including rural roads are still in deplorable conditions which deny the grassroots the dividend of democracy they deserve.

“Further aware that of most importance to the rural dweller, is grading of roads to enable easy transportation of their farm produce to the market. The failure of Local Government and Local Council Areas in the maintenance of their local roads, especially rural roads unleashes untold hardship on the populace. Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, among the dividend of democracy expected by the populace is good road network.

“Observes that in a” rooks and cranes of the state, groups and individual had taken up the responsibility of the Local Government by filling some of the pot holes of local roads with sands and other construction items. 

In addition, some touts take advantage of this to forcefully extort money from road users. It is, indeed, embarrassing to road users and even government.

The worst part of it is that those touts and miscreants disguise on the roads all in the name of filling the pot holes to rob notable and innocent people.

“Concerns that Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the state should make people feel the impact of Government through accelerated development by continuously maintaining the local roads including rural roads in their domain with the resources available at their disposal. This will complement the effort of the State Government on roads construction and rehabilitation across the state and also enhance the work of Oyo State Road Maintenace Agency (OYSROMA) at the local level.”

Onaolapo, therefore, seek the resolution of the House to come to the aid of the people of his constituency and others by urging the Executive Arm of Government through Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters as a matter of urgency to direct all Local Government and Local Council Development Areas to as a matter of urgency embark on the maintenance of feeder roads and grading of rural roads in order to accelerate good road network at the local level and

direct Directors of Works Department in their respective Local Government and LCDs in the state to be alive to their responsibility by regularly engaging in the maintenance of local roads in order to boost socio-economic activities of the rural areas. 

“This will also go a long way to promote good governance in the State,” he added. 

While seconding the motion, Hon. Dele Adeola of the Iseyin/Itesiwaju Constituency and Hon. Olajide Akintunde of the Lagelu State Constituency commended the mover of the motion and said that since it’s a matter of urgent public importance, the house should adopt the motion. 

The house unanimously adopted the motion.