FG to link geo-political zones with dual carriageways

ABUJA—The Federal Government, yesterday, said it would construct dual
carriage way to link the six geographical zones in the country to
reduce travel times as well as ease thehardship being encountered by
travellers.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Works, Mike Onelememen when he
received members of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria in
his office.
The luxury bus owners who were forced out of transport business in the
past following deplorable condition of roads visited Onolememen to
commend the Federal Government on the improvements made on federal
highways.
They also said their buses had started plying the roads again as a
result of the new improved condition of Nigeriaroads.
However, the Minister promised that before the end of this
administration, government will embark on the project of connecting
the six geo-political zones of the country withdual carriageway.
He stated that the illegal activities on the Right of Way, ROW, along
federal highways would be addressed as such roads would be physically
demarcated and secured.
The luxury bus owners led by Chairman of ABC transport company, Mr.
Frank Nneji, told the minister that they had travelled round the
country, pointing out that, the good condition of roads nationwide
showed the competence, professionalism and speed on the side of
government.
Onolememen, who was delighted to receive the bus owners, expressed
appreciation that such words were great encouragement for government
to improve further on the condition of roads.
He noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had during inception of his
government in 2011 made a commitment to make roads motorablein the
country adding, ''it is that articleof faith that is driving us to
deliver on his transformational promises.''
The Minister further said that when he visited Onitsha, Anambra State,
in 2011, he noticed the rate of dilapidation of the roads as well as
gully erosion but said that the situation had since changed for the
better in the commercial city which was the gateway to South East.
According to him, Onitsha was now the ''home of good roads.''
Onolememen further said that he "travelled by road recently from Abuja
to Benin, Shagamu and Lagos and was very much delighted to see the
tremendous achievements of this administration on the provision of
international standard road network."
On tolling, he stated that the Federal Government had not yet decided
on the issue due to its determination to give Nigerians an
international standard road network.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation and Chairman ABC Transport Mr.
Frank Nneji, stated that they were in the ministry to congratulate the
Minster and his team for fixing the Nigerian Highways and not to
complain of anything.
Nneji added that it was because of the fact that the roads were in
good condition that made the ABC Transportation reduce its fares for
Nigerians, pointing out that the association was delighted over the
initiative to construct the Second Niger Bridge as well as
re-construct and expand the Lagos-Ibadan Express way.