Asaba, Delta, Nigeria – By Sonde Ojeikere
Passengers and drivers plying the Asaba-Onitsha Road have appealed to the Federal and Delta State Governments to urgently take steps to rehabilitate the damaged portions of the road in order to ease the traffic gridlock associated with the sufferings of the road users.
Our correspondent who was on hand to inspect the level of damage on the road discovered dangerous potholes particularly at the “God is good” Motor Park and TDC Gate ends.
A journey from Asaba to the River Niger Bridge Head which hitherto could be done in about five minutes now takes between two and four hours as a result of the failed portions of the road.
A driver, who always plies that route, told this correspondent that the deplorable condition of the road was affecting their work and that of the transporters as it was causing damages to their vehicles as well.
According to him, it is always an onerous task to find their ways around the damaged part of the road and at times in the process of the maneuvering, they get struck in the mud putting a standstill to their journey.
Some other businessmen, who spoke randomly, said because of the traffic gridlock, their businesses are now suffering, with one saying “Time is money”.
And if they have to spend a minimum of three hours to get to Onitsha from Asaba, what time could be left to do their businesses and get back to their homes, asked a driver of one of the commercial vehicles who begged for anonymity.
Most disturbing, according to them is the peak periods of the day which they said is between 5pm and 6pm, when people are either returning to Onitsha or leaving for Asaba.
Within these times, a passenger leaving Onitsha for Asaba could spend as much as five hours to get home as a result of the traffic jam caused by the terrible state of the road.
