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Motorists and travellers who ply 9th Mile-Nsukka -Otukpo – Makurdi road have raised alarm over the deplorable state of the road which has become a death trap to them
The road has so degenerated that travellers now suffer untold hardship to wade through it before reaching their destinations.
Most of the times vehicles and passengers were trapped on the road, compelling them to spend days before getting to their destinations.
The 9th Mile- Nsukka -Makurdi-Otukpo old road was constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the 1960s. But the maintainance of the road has been abandoned by successive Governments, allowing it to deteriorate to this embarrassing level.
The road was however awarded by the previous government and construction work was underway as recently as last year but as soon as the campaign for the 2023 general election began, work on the road suddenly ceased.
A road user, Chuka Urama bitter over the deplorable situation of the road said: “I frequently travel along this road. Construction was progressing up to Aboh and Ukana but then the work stopped.
“Based on the progress made in the few kilometres that were already constructed, it is evident that the road was awarded for construction but was abandoned.
“However, the reasons behind the contractor’s decision to halt work remains unknown to most of us ordinary people who make use of this road regularly” he said.
He said it has become necessary for the Government to order back the contractor to resume work on the road to ameliorate the sufferings of people making use of the road.
“The government must take action to ensure that the contractor resumes work on this vital road” said Urama who is a heavy duty vehicle driver.
The road is currently the fastest route to Nsukka, Benue, Kogi, and the rest of the Northern parts of Nigeria since the Express Road use has gone so bad that many vebicles don’t go through it.
Another traveller, Innocent Okeke, who works with the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) said the most concern of the travellers was that the alternative routes like Omor-Adani-Nsukka or Enugu -Ugwogwo-Nike-Opi are unsafe due to the activities of kidnappers on those routes.
“Those who follow those roads face the constant threat of kidnapping and other criminal activities along these roads. This is sad. It is just like we don’t have a government, he said.”
Some communities in Udi Local Government and Igbo Etiti Local Government Areas live along this road.
Unfortunately, accessing their villages has become a herculean task and they have no alternative route to their villages. So, they have been cut-off from the rest of the world. Many of them go as far as Nsukka town or 9th Mile depending on where they live through bush path to get vehicles that take them to their destinations.
As this year’s Christmas festival draws closer, many residents and natives of these affected communities and many other travellers will experience more hardship unless immediate action is taken to address the poor condition of the road.
On his part, a native who did not want his name in print blamed the Federal Government for the current state of the road, adding that while other roads are prioritised, this particular road was left to rot.
“The other day, we read in the papers how the current Minister of Works, Chief David Umahi, inspected ongoing Federal Government road projects in the South East.
“It was never mentioned that he came here. Yes, he did not inspect this place. Maybe, use we are no longer in Nigeria. They should please do the right thing.
“It is unfortunate that most of our political appointees and elected leaders in Enugu State have turned blind eyes to the deplorable state of the road, allowing those who voted for them to suffer and even die ”
It is therefore urgent and imperative that those responsible should consider the plight of the countless Nigerians who travel through this road and take immediate action to direct the contractor to resume work immediately in order to reduce the hardship of travellers.
It is crucial that the authority prioritize the repair and maintenance of the road . This will not only ensure the safety and well-being of the residents who rely on the route but also demonstrate a commitment of Government to their welfare.
