Accidents rate on failed Asaba-Onitsha road spark calls for Federal Government intervention

Commuters and motorists plying the failed Asaba-Onitsha highway have continued to decry the incessant road accidents on the failed road, calling on the government for urgent attention.

A shuttle bus driver on the road, simply identified as Mr Andrew Eze, told PUNCH Online on Thursday that accidents usually occur on the road daily, claiming the lives of people.

“Every day, one form of accident must happen: either a vehicle hitting somebody or a vehicle falling on another vehicle. On Tuesday this week, a vehicle hit a young boy of about 17 years before the total filling station.

“The young boy wanted to cross the express to buy sachet water; unknowingly, the vehicle was plying one-way because of the bad road, and he was knocked down and died on the spot.”

“Even yesterday, Wednesday, a truck loaded with diesel fell and thank God that it did not explode; it would have been a disaster.”

Speaking on the failed portions of the Asaba-Onitsha highway at Ezenei Junction axis the state Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, called on Federal Government to expedite action in fixing the road.

Aniagwu, who made the call shortly after the Executive Council Meeting, said Oborevwori was interested in the quick repair of the road due to the untold hardship the failure had on commuters.

He pointed out that the failed road is affecting the state’s internal road as commuters are diverting to the inside town.

Also, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, disclosed that the state executive approved the construction of internal roads at the Headquarters of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government Area, construction of Aziken Avenue, DDPA Low-Cost Housing Estate, Boji-Boji, Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area, among others.