By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief, North Central, in Minna)
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Niger state chapter and the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state, have condemned, in strong terms, the obstruction of the north-west link roads by members of the Nigerian Association of Road Transports Owners (NARTO) and PetroleumTanker Drivers Association of Nigeria (PTDAN) over the deplorable road conditions.
They have therefore given NARTO and PTDAN 48 hours ultimatum to vacate the roads to allow for free flow of vehicular movements or be ready to face its wrath, including taking civil action to liberate citizens being trapped on the highways for days.
Addressing journalists at the IBB Pen House at the weekend, the group lamented the hard stance by NARTO and the Association of Tanker Drivers who blocked the Suleja-Lambata-Bida road for days now, describing their action as ‘very ungodly’.
Comrade Bello Barau Sheffi who spoke on behalf of the group, said they are not unaware of the untold hardship, pains, uncertainties travellers and commuters have been subjected to for days in the most perilous atmosphere and therefore threatened to explore available civil opportunities to make them pay for their inhuman actions.
“Subjecting peace loving citizens of Niger state and other road users to days of hardship and total disconnection from families for days is completely unacceptable”, Barau Sheffi said as he called on them to immediately vacate the roads and allow free vehicular movements.
“The implications of this heinous act by these drivers who have constituted themselves not only as nuisance, but as a government within government, blocking and stampeding major highways at the slightest provocation”.
He said, “Blocking the link roads have not only caused untold hardship but also held travelers to ransom, hence crippling and halting the day to day activities of other road users many of whom have lost contact with their families who have been subjected to fears and panic”.
Expressing disappointment with the three Senator and ten House of Representatives at the National Assembly for not representing the state well, the group said they will not hesitate to institute actions to discontinue their political relevance if they fail to do something about the deplorable condition of federal roads across the three senatorial districts.
Calling on the relevant authorities to look into the challenges faced by road users to avoid a repeat. “This need to be checked by the relevant authorities concerned or we would be forced to take laws into our own hands.
“We cannot continue to fold our hands and allow lawlessness take its roots by these drivers who are on daily basis, destroying our roads and source of livelihood.
“We issue a 24 hours ultimatum to the NARTO and the Associations of Tanker Drivers to direct all the heavy-duty vehicles drivers to vacate the roads for free movement of other road users and to apologize to Nigerlites and other road users immediately.
“We hereby express our abysmal dismay and dissatisfaction on the attitude of our national representatives at the Senate and House of Representatives on the manner in which issues of dilapidated Trunk ‘A’ roads were handled by the federal government.
“We also call on President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly from Niger state, to ensure that part of the loan sought for by the federal government should include provision for the complete repair/re-construction of the Lambatta-Lapai-Bida and Jebba-Tegina-Birnin Gwari federal roads ongoing projects”.
The group also disagreed with the demand by members of the NARTO and PTDAN for the re-opening of the Minna-Bida road which is still under construction by the Niger state government for heavy-duty vehicles.
While expressing appreciation to Nigerlites and other road users for their patience and understanding throughout this trying times, Barau Sheffi and his group pleaded that they remain law abiding and exercise patience for prompt action after the expiration of the 48 hours ultimatum. NNL
