Residents from the communities of Oba in the Idemili South Local Government Area, Awada in the Idemili North LGA, and Okpoko in the Ogbaru LGA of Anambra State, have expressed their distress over the dreadful state of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway and the surrounding streets.

The residents have voiced their concerns about the dire condition of the roads, which have made them vulnerable to various dangers, particularly due to widespread flooding in many streets. Additionally, they have reported incidents of extortion by criminals who take advantage of the chaotic road conditions.

During a visit to the area on Saturday, our correspondent observed that the roads, particularly the heavily-trafficked expressway, were inundated with water, causing difficulties for motorists and pedestrians alike as they struggled to navigate around numerous potholes.

During the visit, it was also observed that some naval ratings had set up roadblocks on both lanes of the expressway at Enamel Junction. These naval ratings were reported to be extorting money from commercial drivers, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by road users.

Chika Udeh, a resident of Oba, expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the Amanator section of the road. According to Udeh, this particular section was heavily affected by both refuse and floodwater, compounding the challenges faced by residents and commuters in the area.

Udeh said, “We trek every day as we walk on the edge of drainage in order to avoid floods. Most bus operators have refused to go beyond the Amanator Junction. When they get to that place, they forcefully drop off their passengers and make a U-turn.

“Both the federal and the state governments have not looked at the area, including the local government. We are always at the mercy of hoodlums at night.” 

According to a food vendor known as Mama Joy, the deteriorated state of the roads has led to exorbitant charges by commercial drivers and tricycle riders. She mentioned that the fare for a journey that should cost N50 or N100 now reaches as high as N300 due to the road conditions.

Ifeanyi Nonso, a commercial bus operator, expressed concerns about the high risk involved in plying these roads. He explained that the increased bus fares were a result of the substantial amounts drivers had to spend on vehicle maintenance and the payments made at naval checkpoints.

Chief Gabriel Nkasi, the Chairman of the Awada Central Community Development Association, raised an alarm about the rise in robberies occurring on the dilapidated sections of the expressway.

An anonymous official from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing revealed that contracts had been awarded for the rehabilitation of most of the damaged roads. However, the lack of funds to finance these projects was cited as a significant obstacle, as the allocated resources were currently being directed towards the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, which has recently commenced.