Peter Obi to FG: Prioritise road repairs over new construction to prevent tragic accidents

• A tanker carrying 33,000 litres of petrol collided with a fertiliser-loaded truck, causing a fuel spill and massive fire.
• Obi stated that poor road conditions are responsible for a significant percentage of accidents across the country.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has called on the federal government to focus on fixing the country’s existing road network instead of constructing new ones.

Obi shared this in a post on X on Saturday, referring to the tanker explosion that happened on the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State on Friday.

Recall that that initial reports indicated that the tanker, transporting 33,000 litres of petrol, collided with a truck carrying fertiliser, leading to a fuel spill and subsequent fire.

In his post, the former Anambra State governor pointed out that most road accidents are “caused by the deplorable condition of our road infrastructure.”

He wrote, “The tragic collision on February 28, 2025, along the Ilorin-Jebba expressway in Kwara State, which claimed over 60 lives, is a heartbreaking reminder of the urgent need to prioritize the reconstruction of existing road infrastructure across the country, improve road safety, and regulate the transportation of hazardous materials, rather than embarking on new road infrastructure that might never be completed.

“The alarming frequency of such road traffic accidents demands immediate and decisive action to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

“I recently visited the site in Suleja, where over 100 people were burnt—a tragedy resulting from the poor state of the roads.”

Obi further mentioned that during a recent visit to Kafanchan, it took over three and a half hours “navigating dangerous, death-trap roads, further underscoring the urgent need to improve existing road infrastructure.”

In his message, Obi expressed sympathy to the families of the victims, calling on both the government and the public to collaborate in ensuring safer roads.

He wrote, “As we mourn this loss, I extend my condolences to the families and the good people of Kwara State. May God Almighty grant eternal rest to the departed and provide strength and comfort to their grieving loved ones.

“Through collective responsibility and unwavering commitment, we can prevent further senseless tragedies and work toward building a safer, more secure nation for everyone.”