Restore electricity to Seme, Reps order Eko electricity company
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigerian House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to ensure that Eko Electricity Distribution Company restores electricity supply to Seme area of badagry in Lagos state.
The resolution was sequel to a motion raised by the member representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Mr. Joseph Hontonyon-Bamgbose.
According to a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by his Special Assistant (Media and Communications), Mr. Mauho Hungbo, Hontonyon-Bamgbose informed his colleagues that Seme border, which is the nation’s major route to other West African countries and one of the major land borders generating revenue for the nation has been in total blackout for about six years.
He explained that the situation has led to upsurge in criminal activities especially smuggling and a decline in economic ventures with an attendant hardship on the residents.
Thereafter the House unanimously consented that the restoration of electricity to Seme area would reduce smuggling of contrabands thereby improving revenue of the government and the well being of the people.
Also the lawmaker informed the House of the deplorable state of the Lagos-Badagry express way constructed in 1971.
He expressed concern that for more than 40yrs no major rehabilitation work had been carried out on the road which is one of the major revenue points among land borders in Nigeria as it connects three borders namely, Seme, Owode-Asheri and palshie borders.
Hon. Hontonyon-Bamgbose was of the view that the deplorable state of the road was causing hardship to residents of nearby communities and giving bad impression of the country to diplomats of neighbouring countries who ply the road for tourism and other official duties.
He urged FERMA to urgently rehabilitate the failed portions of the road in order to put and end to the hardship experienced by the commuters.
Hon. Bamgbose also charged the federal ministry of works and FERMA to collaborate with Lagos state government for early completion of the expansion of the road to a ten lane dual carriage way with light rail public transport system.
