Tinubu urges governors to prioritise citizens over unnecessary flyovers

President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to focus on projects that directly improve the lives of citizens rather than constructing flyovers in areas with little traffic.

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

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

According to the president, the increased allocations have reduced the need for states to borrow funds for salary payments.

“You have governed before, and you need to help us communicate with the governors,” Tinubu said.

He added that although the cost of governance has risen, the resources available to states are significantly higher than in the past.

“They are receiving four to five times more revenue now. Nobody is borrowing money to pay salaries anymore, and pensioners are being paid,” he said.

Tinubu advised governors to channel more resources into road construction and connecting road networks rather than building flyovers where traffic volume does not justify such projects.

“Instead of constructing flyovers where there is no significant traffic, they should build roads and improve arterial networks to enhance the quality of life of the people and make it easier for security agencies to access those areas,” he said.

The president also said his administration is working to strengthen security at the grassroots level through plans for state police.

He called on traditional rulers to support efforts to tackle insecurity, adding that the government is improving the capacity of forest guards to combat criminal activities.