President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged state governors to stop investing in flyovers in areas with little traffic and instead channel increased federal allocations into projects that improve the quality of life of Nigerians, strengthen security and expand road access to underserved communities.
The President made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. During the meeting, Tinubu said governors should focus on infrastructure that delivers tangible benefits to citizens rather than embarking on what he described as unnecessary projects.
‘Build Roads, Improve Lives’
Tinubu noted that states are receiving significantly higher allocations from the Federation Account than in previous years and urged governors to make prudent use of the resources.
According to him, priority should be given to building and rehabilitating road networks that improve access to rural communities while also enabling security agencies to respond more effectively to criminal activities.
He cautioned against constructing flyovers where traffic volumes do not justify such projects, describing them as investments with limited impact on the daily lives of citizens.
Security Should Remain a Top Priority
The President stressed that improved road infrastructure would not only stimulate economic activities but also enhance security by giving law enforcement agencies easier access to remote and vulnerable communities.
He also referenced the recent rescue of abducted teachers and schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the government remained committed to tackling insecurity without negotiating with criminal groups.
Call for Responsible Governance
Tinubu urged governors to ensure that public spending reflects the immediate needs of the people, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, security and rural infrastructure.
He said governance should be measured by improvements in citizens’ welfare rather than by the number of monumental projects executed.