A pressure group known as Nigerian Muslims in Diaspora (NMiD, United Kingdom), has advised President Muhammad Buhari to give urgent attention to deplorable roads in Nigeria.
It said this in a letter written to the president after the death of a Nigeria Professor of Economics, AbdulHakeem Ishola Mobolaji, along with his son, Muhammad, in an auto crash along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
It would be recalled that in the accident, which happened on Sunday, September 22, Mobolaji’s second son, AbdulHafiz and a friend, Barrister AbdulRasheed Attah survived.
Prof. Mobolaji, was until his death, the acting Vice-Chancellor of Fountain University, Osogbo; a Senior Lecturer at the University of Ilorin and the Board Chairman of Al-Barakah Microfinance Bank.
The letter, made available to our correspondent, on Sunday, via electronic mail, was signed by the NMID Administrative Director, Idris Shofolahan and 21 other members.
The letter read in part: “We, the undersigned group of Nigerians in diaspora, seek your urgent attention regarding the deplorable state of road infrastructure in Nigeria in general, and the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in particular. Many of us lived in Nigeria for a significant part of our adult life and still visit the country often, during which we commute on this very important road in the south-western part of Nigeria.
“No one commuting through the Lagos-Ibadan express road, either as a driver or a passenger, will do so with confidence. The number of lives that have been lost on this very important national road is just too many to count. The number of near- misses experienced on a daily basis is only a stark reminder of the jeopardy which this road poses to millions of Nigerians, and visitors to the country. Of recent, one of the many talents in the academic world in Nigeria was killed on this same road and many more have been killed in the recent and distant past.”
The group added that the rate of accidents on the road called for a decisive action, lamenting that the bad roads were a shame to the nation.
The body also said that, “As a Muslim group, we are concerned about the dangerous state of this road. Moreover, we are also reminded of the emphasis that Islam puts on the protection of life and property.
“The deplorable state of the road for such a long period suggests to us that there is a need for a strong and decisive action requiring your personal endorsement and oversight. The lack of street lightings, poorly tarred stretches, very small lanes and sections where both incoming and outgoing cars are at dangerously close distance to each other, are just some of the contributors to the deplorable state of a road that ought to be a national pride.”
The body challenged the President to ensure the safety of all citizens, reminding him that he will be accountable to God.
“We are therefore calling on you with trust that you also have similar concerns as we have expressed. We pray to Allah (God) to continue to guide and guard you and all the tiers of government,” the group said.
source for Honeyland News