Thousands of travellers using the Benin-Warri expressway to the East were at the weekend stranded on the damaged portions.
Many of them spent the night on the road.
A gridlock resulting from the failed parts made driving a nightmare.
A source who visited the collapsed sections near Adagbarassa Junction and Oviri, yesterday, met several stranded travellers.
“We have been here for over six hours and we cannot proceed further because as you can see, the road is blocked,” a truck driver from Kebbi State, Dirisu said.
The strategic Benin-Warri axis of the East-West highway is the preferred route for those travelling from Lagos and other western states to Port Harcourt (Rivers), Calabar (Cross River), Uyo (Akwa Ibom) and other major cities and towns in the Southsouth and Southeast.
From a few potholes sometime ago, the bad spots have turned into gullies.
In a special report in its Niger Delta Report section, The Nation raised the alarm on the deplorable state of the road.
The report warned that unless the road was repaired, it would cause a nightmare to motorists during the rainy season.
But barely a few weeks into the rainy season, the road has turned a major headache for travellers and transporters. They have been spending hours on the damaged portions, about four kilometres long.
“The worst part of this problem is that this part of the road has no alternative. The only way around it is to go through Effurun/Eku/Amukpe. That, apart from taking longer hours, is also in a deplorable state and risky because of armed robbers,” a driver said.
The dilapidated road has led to an increase in fares by as much as 100 per cent.
For instance, a 20-minute journey from Warri to Sapele, which hitherto cost about N250, is now N550.
Also, the one-hour trip from Benin to Warri, which cost between N500 and N650, rose to N1,200.
“My brother, that is where we found ourselves. Worse still, there is nothing we can do about it. We are not in the government. We have to meet the costs and save something to cater for the family at home,” said Ejiro, a driver who conveyed our reporter from Effurun Roundabout to Oviri.
Investigation by our reporter showed that the gridlock was worsened by a lack of officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to control the traffic. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
Apc na badluck dey carry come for Nigerians
ReplyDeleteHow long we continue to drive on bad road in this country. It is a big shame. By now in nigerian we don't suppose to drive on bad road. We have the money and we are suffering in mist of plenty
ReplyDeleteYes it was APC that failed to put the road in good condition for the past six years. These moronic supporters of the past failed government will not cease to amaze with their idiocy
ReplyDeleteThat road used to be very smooth and good from Benin straight to Warri. I traveled on it a lot. I can't believe it has gone bad. SAD!
ReplyDeleteAPC do something
ReplyDelete