Senator Ifeanyi Ubah calls for reduction of over 136 illegal road blocks on Lagos to Onitsha Expressway to advance FG’s commitment to Ease of Doing Business

By Kamen Chuks

 

Today at the plenary, the Senator representing the good people of Anambra South Senatorial District , Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah called the attention of the Senate leadership to the unwieldy number of road blocks and  check points by police Army and other security agencies  on the Lagos to Onitsha Expressway  especially from Ijebu Ode  down to Onitsha axis

Today, I came under Order 43 of the Senate Rules to raise a complaint about the  increasingly worrisome number of roadblocks/checkpoints mounted by the Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Army and other paramilitary security agencies between Ijebu Ode and Onitsha head bridge....He said

He went on to emphasize  that the alarming number  of checkpoints( the highest in  the country)  spanning over 136 roadblocks between Ijebu Ode and Onitsha head bridge appears to have outlived its usefulness, in terms of curbing security breaches as they now serve as conduit pipes for extortion and intimidation of commuters especially Igbo enterprenuers going about their legitimate bussineses.

 " I also stressed that the number of checkpoints between Ijebu Ode and Onitsha head bridge are even more than checkpoints set up in Boko haram infested areas in the North, which makes one wonder if the southeastern roads are in a state of war/emergency"... said the Senator

While acknowledging the issue of insecurity in Nigeria that has necessitated increased security presence,  he noted that we cannot fail to condemn the increased militarization of highways leading to the East most especially  with the now prevalent impression that it serves the purposes of extorting innocent motorists .  He  stated further  that these multiple roadblocks/security checkpoints, coupled with the deteriorating condition of roads leading to the South East Region, also  cause unnecessary traffic gridlocks with the attendant untold hardship on road users.

He used the opportunity to remind the Nigerian Senate that this matter which has been on the front burner of National discourse especially in the east has adversely affected  the ease of doing business and inter-state commercial activities in the region.

Conclusively, He urged the Senate to as a matter of urgency, review and  order the security agencies  to drastically  reduce  the over 136 checkpoints/roadblocks between Ijebu Ode and Onitsha head bridge , especially in light of the unconstitutional breaches, extortion , humiliation and hardship inflicted upon motorists and travellers. It is my belief that these offensive and mostly irritant road blocks can be replaced with high tech patrol teams and effective surveillance and communication systems on these highways. 

#InterventionThatMatters

#SenatePlenary

#OpenDoorRevolution

#DivinMandate 

Kamen Chuks Ogbonna 

Head 

Strategic Communications to 

Senator Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah