Tinubu Urges Governors to Prioritise Roads Over Unnecessary Flyovers
By Sabiu Abdullahi
President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to focus on projects that directly improve the lives of citizens instead of constructing flyovers in areas with little traffic.
The president made the remarks on Thursday at the State House in Abuja when he received a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
Addressing Ladoja, Tinubu noted that state governments now receive significantly higher allocations than they did when both men served as governors. Tinubu governed Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, while Ladoja was governor of Oyo State from 2003 to 2007.
He said the increase in allocations has eased the financial burden on states, adding that many no longer need to borrow to pay workers’ salaries or pensions.
“You have governed before as a governor. You need to help us communicate to these governors,” Tinubu said.
“Today, the economy of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you had had it during your own time or during my time, it would have been different.
“They are taking four to five times their money. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries now. Pensioners are receiving their pay.
“They should do more instead of building flying over where there is no numeric traffic; build roads and artery networks to really enhance the quality of life and the accessibility of the security agencies to penetrate those areas.”
Tinubu also said his administration is working to strengthen security at the grassroots through the planned establishment of state police.
He appealed to traditional rulers to support efforts to tackle insecurity. He added that the federal government is improving the capacity of forest guards to help combat criminal activities across the country.