We Must Protect Our Roads, Says Council Boss

…Kicks against use of township roads by Heavy-Duty Trucks

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Executive Chairman Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Zibiri Muhizu Marvelous has directed to put an end to the use of Auchi Township roads by heavy duty trucks as bypass as a result of the failing Okene-Auchi-Benin Expressway.

Marvelous gave the directive during an inspection tour on the stretch of road from Jattu Junction through Warrake Road to River Orle Bridge where he assured that his administration will not allow any more use of township roads in Etsako West as bypass by the truck drivers considering the risk involved.

He noted that some of the crossbars that were hitherto installed in the area with a view to ensuring that trucks are prevented from using the roads would be made permanent.

He said he would no longer tolerate the inflow of heavy-duty trucks passing through the town as they have been seen to constitute a lot of risk to not just the road but to the lives and properties of people in the various communities within the local government.

According to him, “These township roads were not made to bear the weight of the kind of traffic that they have endured lately. You can already see that if this road wasn’t made with quality materials, the effect of the continuous passage of heavy-duty trucks would have destroyed it by now.

“We must ensure that we protect our roads from destruction by all means as it is our responsibility to do so.”

The Chairman further stated that he would be collaborating with his counterparts in Owan East and West to ensure that the move to stop the use of township roads in the areas is achieved.

The chairman also directed members of the Vigilante Squad to arrest anyone seeing removing the crossbars to allow trucks in as such person would be severely dealt with and regarded as an enemy of the people saying that those who have been reported to have indulged in such nefarious activities will soon be caught up.

Hon. Muhizu Marvelous Noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki have always frowned at the trend of having heavy-duty trucks plying township roads in the local government areas across the state adding that he will do all that is necessary to support the Governor’s MEGA agenda by protecting the people and properties of Etsako West local government area.