Motorists, residents in anguish as Owerri/Port Harcourt road becomes deathtrap

• For the past five years, there has been pains, tensions as Owerri/Port Harcourt road deteriorates
• Motorists, residents in anguish as the road becomes deathtrap
• Imo state government intervenes, awards multibillion naira contract for the reconstruction of the road

For the residents and indeed motorists in Imo state or rather South East zone, Owerri/Elele road has literally become a deathtrap and a no-go-area due to the deplorable condition of the route for almost a decade now.

WITHIN NIGERIA findings showed that for every year, the condition of the road has continued to worsen, leaving motorists and road users in inexplicable anguish and pain.

Motorists, residents lament

In an exclusive chat with our reporter, one of the motorists, Mr. Ifeanyi Ndukwe told WITHIN NIGERIA that making journey through the road as like travelling through hell.

“Each time I load my vehicle at Nsukka to Elele through Owerri, I always feel bad. I don’t feel comfortable at all. This is because of the deplorable condition of Elele road.”

Narrating further, Mr. Ndukwe lamented that the funny thing is that the road gets worse every year without any solution in sight. We are appealing to the state governments of Imo and Rivers to look into the condition of the road and ameliorate the situation. We are now plying Nekede road through Ngokpala which farther than Owerri road.”

Another motorist John Ndu, a driver with one of the popular transport company in Enugu state equally lamented condition of the road, saying he resigned from the transport because of the road.

According to him  ” I resigned my appointment with my former employer because of the bad condition of that road. I have complained severally to my manager about the road he kept on giving me that route. So, I had to resign to allow peace to reign.”

Appealing to the government he said, ” though I no longer ply that road, I appeal to the federal government of Nigeria to reconstruct that for it is now a hell.

Imo state government intervenes

As the lamentations continue to mount over the worsening condition of the road, the Imo State Government has few days awarded the contract for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 35.1-kilometre Owerri-Elele Road.

The contract, which has been awarded to reputable engineering firm Craneburg Construction Company, is aimed at transforming the currently dilapidated road into a modern, motorable highway that will improve connectivity, boost economic activities, and ensure safer travel for motorists and pedestrians alike.

Speaking to newsmen, the Commissioner for Works, Barr. Ralph Nwosu, revealed that the contractor is already mobilising to site and will commence work immediately. He gave assurances that the project will be closely monitored to ensure strict adherence to the specifications detailed in the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).

“Although the road is a Federal Government road, the Imo State Government has taken up the responsibility of reconstructing it under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) arrangement,” Barr. Nwosu stated. “This decision reflects the government’s commitment to alleviating the long-standing suffering of our people and commuters who have had to endure the road’s near-impassable condition for years.”

He emphasized that the intervention is in line with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration’s dedication to revitalizing critical infrastructure and improving the standard of living for residents across the state.

The project is one of several initiatives under the Hope Uzodimma-led administration’s broader agenda to deliver sustainable development through strategic infrastructure investment.