The Coalition of Southern Groups (CSG), has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to urgently declare a state of emergency on all federal roads in Nigeria’s southern region.
The coalition made this demand at its first media event in Abuja, highlighting the dire state of infrastructure that makes travel challenging for residents of the South-South, South-East, and South-West regions.
The Chairman, Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, a former commissioner in Imo State, alongside coalition Secretary Comrade Bello Osaretin, criticized the deteriorating road conditions.
“The state of the roads is a nightmare, especially considering that the South provides the ‘liquid gold’ fueling Nigeria’s economy,” Ajumbe stated.
He emphasized that the neglect of these roads, which have not seen repairs in decades, requires immediate federal attention.
The coalition also proposed a law mandating public officials to use these roads for domestic travel, potentially improving accountability in infrastructure management.
Additionally, it recommended strengthening the roles of Federal Controllers of Works in each state for more effective supervision.
The CSG expressed interest in collaborating with northern leaders and the Presidency to discuss broader national development strategies.
