TheCable

The house of representatives has asked the ministry of works and housing to commence the urgent repair of roads “badly damaged” by flood across the country. 

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary session on Tuesday, after the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Ibrahim Isiaka, lawmaker from Ogun state.

Heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding, which has affected roads across the country.

Leading the debate on the motion, Isiaka said an estimated 6,000 kilometres of roads have been damaged by flood resulting from heavy rainfall.

“The recent torrential rainfall experienced across the country in the last three months has caused severe damages to roads and bridges in different parts of the country, leaving behind tales of woes, despondency, social and economic challenges,” he said.

“No region in the country is spared from this national act of God. Bridges and culverts have been submerged, roads have collapsed, and access to many towns and cities across the nation have been completely cut off due to the impassability of the affected roads and bridge.

“Based on the condition assessments carried out across the country, an estimated cumulative length of the damaged roads is well above 6,000 kilometres.

“This existential threat is posing a danger to human safety and causing significant disruption to both economic and social activities.

“Motorists and commuters are enduring untold hardship and the security of lives and property of Nigerians have been greatly threatened consistently.”

After a unanimous adoption of the motion, the lawmakers asked the ministry of works to present “an action plan that may require any legislative framework (if necessary) for the immediate intervention programme”.