Tinubu Tells Governors to Stop Unnecessary Flyovers, Invest in Roads

President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to stop constructing flyovers in areas with little or no traffic and instead invest increased federal allocations in road networks to improve citizens’ living standards and enhance security operations.

Tinubu made the call on Thursday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the State House.

The traditional rulers were at the Presidential Villa to congratulate the President on the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

The President said state governments were now receiving four to five times more money from the Federation Account than they previously received, urging governors to use the additional resources for projects with greater impact on citizens.

“They should do more instead of building flyovers where there is no 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 said.

The President also disclosed that the terrorists responsible for the Oriire abduction demanded the release of some of their detained members in addition to ransom.

Tinubu said the Federal Government rejected the demand and refused to negotiate with the criminals.

“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs that were already arrested. That was one of their conditions, outside of the money they were looking for.

“And we said no deal. We are not going to negotiate with criminals,” he said.

Tinubu commended the armed forces for their role in the rescue operation, describing their performance as excellent.

He further disclosed that his directive to increase the Nigerian Army’s divisions from eight to 12 was partly informed by the Oriire abduction, saying the expansion would reduce response times and strengthen the military’s capacity to tackle terrorism and banditry.

According to him, the military’s knowledge of the geographical layout of the forest where the victims were held contributed to the successful operation.

The President also reiterated his administration’s plan to establish state police, saying appropriate safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuses.

He added that traditional rulers would have a greater role to play in the country’s local security architecture.

Tinubu also attributed part of Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in neighbouring Sahel countries, particularly Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic.

He said the Federal Government would strengthen the capacity of forest guards and pursue the establishment of state police as part of efforts to address insecurity across the country.