Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has directed the state’s Ministry of Works and Infrastructural Development to engage the Federal Controller of Works in the state to find urgent step and rehabilitate some of the failed portions of the Lambata-Agaie-Lapai-Bida road.
He also cautioned the drivers of articulated vehicles to desist from taking laws into their hands and channel their grievances to the appropriate authorities, stressing that embracing amicable resolution of the issue was more civil than subjecting or holding other citizens to ransom.
The governor, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, condemned the action of tanker drivers who blocked some specific areas in Bida town to protest the continued neglect of the major federal highway linking the Northern and South Western parts of the country.
Our correspondent report that the drivers, who blocked the road on Friday, are also asking the state government to allow them use the Minna-Bida Road, which is presently being reconstructed by Dantata and Sawoe Company.
Governor Sani Bello noted that even though the tanker drivers have the right to peaceful protest as a group, their action was an infringement on the rights of other commuters.
“The decision of the tanker drivers to block access to the road is unlawful. Such action will not intimidate the state government into allowing them to use the Minna-Bida Road which is a state-owned road,” the statement said.
