The Senate noted that ageing infrastructure, increasing traffic volume and the absence of routine maintenance had reduced the road to a deplorable state, posing serious risks to commuters and other road users.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Senate has urged the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate the Onitsha–Iyiowa–Odekpe–Atani–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Federal Highway linking Anambra and Rivers states, warning that its deplorable condition is endangering lives, disrupting commerce and increasing transportation costs.
The lawmakers called for immediate palliative repairs on failed sections of the highway pending comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction, citing decades of neglect, deep potholes, severe erosion and deteriorating road infrastructure.
This followed a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, who drew attention to the strategic importance of the highway as a major link between the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones.
According to the motion, the highway was partially constructed in the late 1980s but has suffered decades of neglect without major rehabilitation.
The Senate noted that ageing infrastructure, increasing traffic volume and the absence of routine maintenance had reduced the road to a deplorable state, posing serious risks to commuters and other road users.
It further observed that the poor condition of the highway had significantly increased travel time, with the approximately 70-kilometre journey from Onitsha to Ogbaru and Ndoni, which ordinarily takes about one hour, now taking nearly two hours.
The motion stated that the delay had resulted in higher transportation costs, loss of productive man-hours and disruption of commercial activities.
It also noted that vehicles frequently broke down or became stranded on failed sections of the road, exposing commuters to road accidents and heightened security risks.
The Senate expressed concern that the highway serves a vital economic corridor with significant oil and gas exploration and production activities in the Ogbaru oil belt, contributing to Nigeria’s economy and gross domestic product.
It warned that continued neglect of the road had adversely affected interstate commerce, agricultural value chains, regional integration and investment.
Consequently, the lawmakers urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the South-East Development Commission or the Federal Ministry of Works to undertake emergency repairs on failed and unmotorable sections of the highway.
They also called on the Federal Ministry of Works to commence comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction through a special intervention programme or another appropriate funding arrangement.
The Senate further mandated its Committee on Works to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the highway, engage relevant stakeholders and report back within four weeks with recommendations.
It also directed the Senate Committees on Works and Appropriations to ensure adequate budgetary provision for the comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the highway.