Reps Call for Benin-Lagos Railway and Pedestrian Bridges

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives urged the federal government to initiate the construction of the Benin-Lagos railway corridor to mitigate increasing insecurity and traffic congestion along the Sagamu expressway. The resolution followed a motion presented by Tajudeen Abba, a member representing Ovia North East and Ovia South West federal constituencies in Edo State.

The motion highlighted that the Benin-Lagos highway has become overstretched and increasingly unsafe for commuters due to rising incidents of armed robbery, kidnapping, and accidents. The lawmakers stressed that developing a modern railway line would provide a safer and faster alternative for commuters and reduce pressure on the road network.

Additionally, Adesola Ayoola Elegbeji, representing Ikenne Sagamu Remo North federal constituency in Ogun State, raised concerns about the high rate of accidents along the Sagamu axis of the expressway, particularly due to the absence of pedestrian bridges. The House adopted the motion, recommending that the Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Railway Corporation prioritize the railway corridor in the national transport master plan, incorporating security measures in the design.