Tinubu urges governors to prioritise roads over unnecessary flyovers

President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to stop constructing flyovers in areas with low traffic volumes and instead channel resources into projects that directly improve the quality of life of citizens.

The President made the call on Thursday while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the State House in Abuja.

Addressing Ladoja, Tinubu noted that states now receive significantly higher allocations than when both of them served as governors. Tinubu was governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, while Ladoja governed Oyo State from 2003 to 2007.

According to the President, increased federal allocations have strengthened the financial position of states, reducing the need for borrowing to pay workers’ salaries and 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 flyovers 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 taking steps to strengthen security at the grassroots through the planned establishment of state police.

He called on traditional rulers to support efforts to address insecurity, adding that the government is enhancing the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities across the country.