Benin-Ore Highway: Rep Idahosa raises alarm over failed portions

Rep Dennis Idahosa (APC-Edo) has raised alarm over a looming danger on the Benin-Ore highway due to a faulty bridge on the busy road.

Idahosa raised the alarm via a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Friday Aghedo, a copy of which was made available to our reporter on Wednesday in Benin.

The lawmaker expressed regret that the bad portion of the Ovia Bridge on the highway had led to the loss of several lives in addition to property worth millions of Naira.

It was reported that 11 persons were killed on June 28 when an articulated vehicle rammed into an 18-seater bus on the failed portion.

Idahosa lamented that the unwarranted deaths, destruction and hardship commuters suffered on the section of the highway, prompted him to move a motion on the floor of the Green Chamber.

The lawmaker, representing Ovia federal constituency, said that the Ovia Bridge was very strategic as the road was a gateway to major parts of the country and too important to be left in that condition.

“As you are aware, presently there are failed portions on the road which has become notorious for multiple accidents resulting in severe injuries, loss of lives of innocent hardworking Nigerians and property running into millions of Naira on a weekly basis.

“Just last week, June 29th, all passengers of an eighteen seater vehicle, including a little baby, died in an accident on Ovia Bridge.

“Two days ago on the same bridge, five vehicles, with one plunging into the river, were recorded on the same bridge.

“I am also worried about the untold hardships faced by commuters due to the unending gridlock on the failed portion of the road spanning kilometres.

“I am particularly concerned that the bridge serves as a major route for the transportation of goods and services to various parts of the country, but the failed portions on the bridge have affected the delivery services, thus affecting economic development of the country,” he lamented.

Idahosa said he was elated that the House of Representatives showed concern over the situation and called on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to urgently address the situation.

The House, he said, had mandated the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to immediately remove all damaged and accidental vehicles from the bridge and around the failed portion.