Ex-lawmaker Rehabilitates Deplorable Delta-Edo Road

Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Amid calls on the federal government to allow state governments undertake repairs on numerous so-called federal roads in deplorable conditions across the country, a former member of House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko, has mobilised private resources to rehabilitate the failed portions of the Onicha-Ugbo/Idumuje-Ugboko Road leading into Edo State, Kogi State and Abuja.

The road had become a vital short cut for travelers from the South-east to the North due to the bad condition of other alternative roads.

Heavy rains in recent months have caused the severe failure of the single-lane road reconstructed few years ago by the NNDC and had become the link to towns along its path including OnichaUgbo-Idumuje Ugboko- Ewohimi towards the federal capital territory of Abuja thriving economic hubs.

 The failed sections of the road exposed commuters to travel delays and other hardships, including attacks by hoodlums operating on the Onicha Ugbo- Idumuje Ugboko axis.

According to Nwoko, “It’s a project that I am funding in my private capacity to lessen the impact of the suffering of travelers caused by the terrible condition of the road.”
He said this is just a palliative effort, I will continue even in my private capacity, to push the federal government to urgently undertake a total reconstruction of the road.” which has increased the volume of vehicular movement and economic activities in the area.

The rehabilitation work is expected to be completed in six weeks.
Following the very deplorable state of the Asaba to Illah/Ebu to Ubiaja (Edo State) road since last year, the Onicha-Ugbo/Ewhohimi (Edo State) Road became the alternative route for numerous travelers to different parts of Edo State like Ekpoma and Auchi as well as to Okene and Lokoja (Kogi) and Abuja.

However, the increased vehicular traffic, particularly heavy lorry and articulated vehicles have turned the road practically to a death trap.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State recently commissioned a two-kilometer road constructed by an oil magnate and also an eminent son of Idumuje-Ugboko community in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.