By Peter Omopo
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has blamed the rising incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping across Nigeria on the country’s deteriorating road infrastructure.
Speaking to journalists, the NURTW Chairman, Mr. Francis Arhiyor, said criminals exploit failed portions of highways to ambush travellers and carry out attacks.
“The truth is that if the roads are good, cases of armed robbery and kidnapping will be reduced because these hoodlums take undue advantage of the bad spots to strike,” Arhiyor stated.
He specifically urged the Federal Government to urgently repair the East-West Highway in the Niger Delta region, describing it as one of the most dangerous and neglected roads in the country.
Arhiyor commended the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, for taking the initiative to reconstruct the Warri–Sapele–Benin Road, describing the intervention as a “welcome development” that will bring significant relief to motorists and commuters.
“If the roads are good and a driver is in motion, nobody can jump in front of a vehicle to attack,” he said.
The transport union leader lamented that NURTW members have suffered serious losses due to poor road conditions, including vehicle breakdowns and high maintenance costs.
“Our drivers have been having harrowing experiences passing through the failed roads. Many vehicles have broken down irretrievably, and we spend huge sums daily on maintenance,” he added.
Arhiyor called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of other critical sections of the East-West Road, including the Benin By-Pass en route Lagos, the Benin–Akwa Ibom stretch, and the Warri–Port Harcourt axis, which he described as “terribly bad.”
“We strongly appeal to the Federal Government to come to our aid and ensure the reconstruction of these roads without further delay,” he pleaded.
Governor Oborevwori, while flagging off the reconstruction of the Warri–Sapele–Benin Road, had earlier noted that the project underscores the benefits of synergy between federal and state governments.
He emphasized that although the route is a federal road, its users are largely Deltans and Nigerians, and ensuring their safety and comfort remains the state’s priority.
“Development becomes faster when governments work together in the interest of the people,” the governor stated, describing the route as “a critical national infrastructure connecting major cities across the South-South and providing access to Edo and other parts of the federation.”
