Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Dr. Abdulfatai Buhari on Thursday said it was worrisome that the Ibadan-Ilorin expressway which was first awarded in 2001 is yet to be completed.
Buhari, who represents Oyo North at the National Assembly made the observation in Iseyin town during an empowerment program.
The lawmaker noted that it is sad and painful that the road which construction started during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo remained uncompleted 19 years after it was awarded.
Buhari who had earlier raised an alarm that the old Ibadan- Ilorin was not motorable, urged the federal government of Nigeria to ensure that the new expressway is completed to prevent further loss of lives on the bad road.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts maintained that he will not relent in mounting pressure on the federal government until the road is completed.
He said, “I absolutely agree with you, it is sad, it is sad that the road is still not completed. I had raised an alarm that the Ibadan-Ilorin expressway was not motorable.
“It is worrisome that the road is still not completed 19 years after.
“I remember that there was an incident, I was driving and there was an accident which involved students. 18 of them and all of them died. We were shedding tears. The following Tuesday, I moved a motion at the chamber on the issue. But, the only thing they did was some palliatives on the road. They promised that they would do the main express.
“But, the good news is that work from Oyo has now reached Elega, it remains from Elega to Ogbomoso now to link Ilorin road.
“What they always tell us is that it is funds, fund, fund. We will not relent, we will continue to harass, we will continue to put pressure on them till the road is completed.
“I am doing this for the benefit of my constituents, there are some people who will benefit today. Maybe this is the only thing that they will benefit in a democracy. So, I am proud that I am doing it.
“There is no way you can satisfy your people, even with this, there is no way you can satisfy them. But, I am happy that some people will be happy today”.
