A group under the aegis of the Esan Liberation Movement has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, fix the abandoned portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi road.
In a statement signed by Prosper Iyere, leader of Esan Liberation Movement on behalf of the Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum, Iruekpen Youth Association respectively, the group also called on the federal lawmakers representing the entire Esanland to prevail on relevant government authorities to direct the contractor handling the road construction to mobilize to site and immediately commence work to address the pains and terrible experience the people face on a daily basis.
The group and other concerned youths in Esanland have been protesting the neglect of the road by federal authorities since Monday.
The group noted that despite a series of letters to the authorities drawing attention to the deplorable condition of the road, they were yet to get any response, a move he said prompted the protests across Esanland.
According to the group, “It is no longer news that the terrible condition of the road has a terrible impact on the overall socio-economic life of the people, including but not limited to the destruction of their businesses, particularly of those who deal with perishable foodstuffs, who get stranded on a daily basis when their vehicles break down on the road.
“The result of this sad experience has always been huge losses of revenues, loss of lives, waste of time on the highway, and risk to lives and properties”.
The group noted that the failure of the government to fix the road had resulted in the use of routes inside Ekpoma town by motorists which has become unbearable for the people.
As part of the South-South region that contributes majorly to the sustenance of the Nigerian economy through revenue from oil and gas, we dare to say that we deserve to enjoy the proceeds that come from the region and demanding a good road network is not asking for too much,” Iyere said.
Iyere said the Ewu axis of the highway would be sealed off until “our demands for immediate action on the road rehabilitation are met.”
