The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency, save the Onitsha-Enugu Express road and Onitsha-Owerri Express way from imminent collapse due to erosion menace. Governor Obiano made the call today while inspecting the erosion sites along the Onitsha and Owerri Expressways.
The Onitsha-Enugu erosion has caved-in at the foot of the fly-over after New parts Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area on approach to the Inosi Onira round-about while the Onitsha-Owerri road menace has cut-off one lane at two points at Okija-Ihiala axis.
Governor Obiano, who was visibly worried at the danger posed by the erosion to lives and business activities in the area, explained that he had made contact with the President after inspecting the site recently, and mandated IDC Construction Company to mobilize to the site and start palliative works to save the road.
He reiterated that the Federal Government owes the state an outstanding N25 Billion Naira accruing from construction of federal roads in the state. According to Obiano, “this is the reason why we must get permission from the Federal Government before embarking on palliatives on the eroded site. It is very clear from the gravity of the erosion that the state alone cannot handle the project with its meager resource because it will run into billions of Naira.’’
The governor however advised Ndi Anambra to bear with the state while it persuades the Federal Government to come to its aid and save the people from imminent danger to road users as well as lives and property in the area.
Inspecting the erosion sites along Okija-Ihiala axis of the Onitsha-Owerri expressway, governor Obiano expressed worry that the bad spots will definitely create traffic bottleneck for commuters during forth-coming Christmas season due to the use of single lane by all vehicles. He noted that apart from the wear and tear from excess load which threatens the life span of the road, it also poses grave risk to safety of travellers.
