President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to focus on building more roads instead of constructing flyovers in places where traffic does not justify such projects.
Speaking on Thursday while receiving a delegation of traditional rulers from Oyo State led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, the President said states are now receiving far more money from the Federation Account than in previous years and should invest it in projects that directly improve the lives of residents.
Tinubu, who addressed some members of the delegation that previously served as governors, said state governments are now getting between four and five times the allocations they once received.
“The cost of operation is high. But the money that I’m pushing to the states, if you 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,” he said.
The meeting was also an opportunity for the President to commend security agencies for rescuing the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.
Tinubu disclosed that the kidnappers demanded both ransom and the release of detained members of their criminal group as conditions for freeing the victims, but his administration rejected the demands.
According to him, the government remains committed to its policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists or pay ransom.
“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,” the President stated.
Tinubu also revealed that the decision to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions was influenced by the Oriire abduction, explaining that the move is aimed at improving the military’s ability to respond quickly to security threats and tackle terrorism and banditry across the country.
