Introduction to Urban Growth
By Deborah Coker
Mr Henry Idahagbon, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and former Attorney-General in Edo, says modern infrastructures are vital for urban growth but must be balanced with food security, healthcare, and rural development.
The Importance of Balance
Idahagbon, a politician, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Abuja on Sunday, however said that flyovers should not be done at the detriment of the basic necessities of life. He was reacting to a question on the recent rave of some governors going into the construction of flyovers, rather than tackling challenges of flooding, healthcare, education, roads and water in their states.
Economic Necessity
He explained that for instance, the flyover being constructed by Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo at the Ramat Park Roundabout was borne out of economic necessity. According to him, during celebration periods, even on normal days, there is always traffic gridlock at the Ikpoba hill axis. “If you are coming to work in the morning or during rush hour when people are going back home from work, it’s always a gridlock because only that one road existed for years linking Ikpoba Hill to Benin until an alternative route was created.
Other Infrastructure Projects
Idahagbon, who is the Federal Commissioner representing Edo, Ekiti and Ondo States at the Federal Civil Service Commission, however, revealed that the Edo governor was not just building the flyover, as he was also building other routes. “Okpebholo is also building several other routes. So, for me, these are solid infrastructure, there are flyovers built in developed countries 100, 200 years ago. So, once you build one, you now can concentrate on other things.
Healthcare and Education
But it should not be done at the detriment of the basic necessities of life like healthcare, education and others. “Obaseki promised to build one health centre in all the political wards in Edo. Unfortunately, he didn’t build one. But now Okpebholo I understand is building a teaching hospital for Ambrose Alli University (AAU), in his village, a 150-bed ultramodern hospital. We need such things.
Access to Healthcare
“If somebody is sick in Igueben you don’t have to bring the person to Benin to get healthcare, because between Igueben and Benin, the person may die. So, we also need such a hospital in Auchi to cater to Edo North people. Thank God we have the Edo University in Iyamho, they should also have a specialist hospital where our people from Edo North can easily access and then the Edo Central people can access the one being built in the governor’s village,’’ he said.
Democratizing Healthcare
Idahagbon further said that Edo South people have the UBTH, adding that there was the need to democratise healthcare as many of Nigerians were dying from preventable diseases and preventable deaths because of lack of access to healthcare. “So, while healthcare, housing, education and other infrastructures are being promoted, there’s nothing wrong if we have to build our flyover infrastructure.
Conclusion
It is part of the road infrastructure and the basic reason for building or constructing roads is for economic expansion and development,’’ he added.
FAQs
Q: What is the importance of modern infrastructure in urban growth?
A: Modern infrastructure is vital for urban growth but must be balanced with food security, healthcare, and rural development.
Q: Why is the construction of flyovers necessary in some states?
A: The construction of flyovers is necessary in some states due to economic necessity, such as reducing traffic gridlock and promoting economic expansion.
Q: What other infrastructure projects is the Edo governor building?
A: The Edo governor is building several other routes and a teaching hospital for Ambrose Alli University (AAU).
Q: Why is access to healthcare important?
A: Access to healthcare is important to prevent preventable deaths and diseases, and to provide easy access to medical care for people in different regions.
Source: nannews.ng
