ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to begin work on the Benin–Lagos railway corridor as a way to tackle rising insecurity and persistent traffic congestion along the highway.
In a separate resolution, the lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to reassess the ongoing Sagamu–Benin expressway project to include flyovers and pedestrian bridges, aimed at reducing the increasing rate of accidents along the route.
The decisions followed the adoption of two motions presented during Wednesday’s plenary, which was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.
Moving the first motion, the lawmaker representing Ovia North-East/Ovia South-West Federal Constituency of Edo State, Omosede Igbinedion, pointed out that the key highway connecting Benin and Lagos had become overstretched and increasingly dangerous for road users.
She said, “The Lagos-Benin highway is currently overburdened, plagued by traffic congestion, dilapidation and rising incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping and accidents.
“We are concerned that the absence of a railway alternative on this critical route puts strain on the national economy, endangers lives, delays supply chains and stifles regional integration.
“We note that developing a modern railway line between Benin and Lagos will provide a safer, faster and more reliable alternative for commuters and businesses, while also reducing pressure on the road network.”
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The legislator also raised concerns that insecurity along the route continues to discourage interstate travel and commercial activities.
According to her, “The insecurity along the route continues to discourage interstate travel and commercial activity, especially for women, traders, students and farmers transporting produce.”
She added that investing in rail infrastructure along the corridor would boost both economic activities and national security.
“An investment in railway infrastructure is not only an economic strategy but also a national security imperative, especially in vulnerable and high-traffic regions,” she added.
When the motion was subjected to a voice vote, it received overwhelming support from lawmakers.
Following its adoption, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, to prioritise the development of the Benin–Lagos railway corridor under the National Transport Master Plan.
Lawmakers also recommended that security features such as surveillance systems, railway police units and secured terminals be included in the design and operation of the proposed rail infrastructure.
In another motion, the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji, drew the House’s attention to the rising number of accidents and fatalities recorded around the Sagamu axis of the Sagamu–Benin expressway, particularly where the road cuts through the centre of the town.
She argued that the current design of the highway posed significant risks to both pedestrians and motorists.
She said, “The ongoing construction of the Sagamu-Benin expressway has inadvertently created significant safety challenges for pedestrians and motorists due to the absence of designated pedestrian crossings, bridges, and flyovers.
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“We are aware that the expressway has effectively divided Sagamu town into two distinct parts, with the section across the expressway experiencing an explosive population growth, tripling the size of the older part of Sagamu, leading to constant movement of residents, traders, and students across the highway.
“The House is concerned that the constant human and vehicular movement across a high-speed highway has resulted in fatal accidents involving school children, market women, and commuters attempting to cross the expressway,” she said.
Ayoola-Elegbeji further highlighted several locations along the corridor that pose serious danger to road users.
These include the Sagamu Express Junction linking Total Expressway with Ewu Oliwo, the RSS Junction connecting Area Command to the express junction, and the Ikenne Express Junction linking the Dalabo area of Sagamu.
She emphasised that building pedestrian bridges and flyovers at the identified spots would greatly reduce accidents and improve traffic movement.
She added that the construction of such infrastructure “will not only prevent loss of lives but will enhance free traffic flow, protect economic activities, and support the long-term urban development of Sagamu and its environs.”
The motion also received the backing of many lawmakers present at the plenary.
After adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, to immediately review the project design to include pedestrian bridges and flyovers at the identified high-risk locations within Sagamu.
Lawmakers also directed the ministry to work with the Ogun State Government to ensure that adequate safety infrastructure is integrated into federal highway projects in the state.
In addition, the House urged the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps to step up public awareness campaigns on road safety and provide temporary pedestrian crossings until permanent structures are constructed.
The House further mandated its Committee on Works to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the Sagamu axis of the expressway, particularly the Total–Ewu Oliwo Junction, RSS Junction and Ikenne–Dalabo Junction, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.