The 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to prioritize rehabilitating Nigeria’s deteriorating roads rather than embarking on new road projects.
Obi made this appeal in a post on X following the tragic tanker explosion on the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State on Friday, February 28, 2025, which claimed over 60 lives.
According to preliminary reports, the accident involved a petrol tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel and a truck loaded with fertilizer. The impact caused a fuel spill, leading to a massive fire.
Reacting to the incident, the former Anambra State governor emphasized that most road accidents in Nigeria are caused by the “deplorable condition of our road infrastructure.”
His words: “The tragic collision on February 28, 2025, along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State, which claimed over 60 lives, is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need to prioritize the reconstruction of existing road infrastructure across the country, improve road safety, and regulate the transportation of hazardous materials, rather than embarking on new road infrastructure that might never be completed.”
Obi lamented the “alarming frequency” of road traffic accidents and urged the government to take decisive action to curb further loss of lives.
“I recently visited the site in Suleja, where over 100 people were burnt—a tragedy resulting from the poor state of the roads,” Obi lamented.
Sharing his experience, he revealed that on a recent trip to Kafanchan, he spent over three and a half hours navigating “dangerous, death-trap roads.”
Obi extended his sympathies to the families of the victims and urged Nigerians to work together in advocating for safer roads.
“As we mourn this loss, I extend my condolences to the families and the good people of Kwara State. May God Almighty grant eternal rest to the departed and provide strength and comfort to their grieving loved ones.
“Through collective responsibility and unwavering commitment, we can prevent further senseless tragedies and work toward building a safer, more secure nation for everyone,” he concluded.
