The Senate has officially declared the severely dilapidated Onyagede-Ogobia Federal Road in Benue State a national security concern, calling on the Federal Government to initiate immediate emergency repairs alongside a full ₦15.056 billion reconstruction program.
The decision followed the adoption of a joint report by the Senate Committees on FERMA and National Security and Intelligence, which investigated the state of the 28-kilometer road located in the Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.
The committee’s findings revealed a catastrophic state of infrastructure: out of the 28 kilometer stretch, only two kilometers remain motorable. The remaining 26 kilometers have succumbed to severe erosion, failed pavements, and total neglect. Lawmakers noted that this breakdown has severely hindered security operations, slowed emergency response times, elevated transport costs for local agricultural producers, and effectively isolated multiple rural communities.
In response, the Senate passed a resolution directing the Federal Government to immediately empower the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to conduct urgent remedial repairs on failed sections while securing funding for comprehensive reconstruction.
Key recommendations adopted by the Senate include:
- Financial Allocation: Inclusion of the estimated ₦15.056 billion (VAT inclusive) reconstruction project under the infrastructure intervention programs of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, with dedicated funding in the national budget.
- Security Interventions: Directing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mandate the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Armed Forces to scale up joint patrols and surveillance along the road corridor and neighboring communities.
- Engineering Standards: Ensuring the reconstruction includes proper drainage networks, culverts, and erosion-control structures to guarantee long-term durability and lower future maintenance costs.
- Nationwide Infrastructure Plan: Recommending that the Federal Government urgently rehabilitate at least two critically failed federal roads in each of the 36 states to boost economic activity, enhance road safety, and promote equitable national development.
To ensure strict accountability and value for public funds, the Senate also emphasized the need for strengthened legislative oversight throughout the execution of the Onyagede-Ogobia project and similar infrastructure programs nationwide.
