The Senate has called for urgent intervention on the neglected Onitsha–Iyiowa–Odekpe–Atani–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Federal Highway, warning that its deplorable condition is endangering lives, crippling businesses and undermining economic activities across Anambra and Rivers states.
The upper chamber, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Government to embark on emergency repairs and comprehensive reconstruction of the strategic road, which connects communities in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State towards Rivers State.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North Senatorial District, who sought immediate action to address what lawmakers described as decades of neglect of the critical transportation corridor.
According to the motion, sections of the highway were constructed in the late 1980s but have suffered severe deterioration without major rehabilitation.
The Senate attributed the road’s condition to prolonged abandonment, ageing infrastructure, increasing traffic and inadequate routine maintenance, which have left several sections riddled with deep potholes, failed pavement and severe erosion.
The lawmakers warned that the situation posed serious threats to motorists, commuters and other road users, while increasing the risk of accidents and exposing stranded travellers to security threats.
They noted that a journey of about 70 kilometres from Onitsha towards Ogbaru and Ndoni, which should ordinarily take approximately one hour, now takes nearly two hours because of the poor state of the road.
The development, according to the Senate, has increased transportation costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and travel time, while reducing productive man-hours and disrupting commercial activities in affected communities.
Beyond its importance to road transportation, the lawmakers described the highway as a vital economic corridor supporting agricultural activities, interstate trade and oil and gas exploration and production within the Ogbaru oil belt.
They warned that continued deterioration could disrupt energy operations, weaken agricultural value chains, discourage investment and worsen the economic conditions of residents in Anambra and Rivers states.
To address the immediate challenges, the Senate called on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), the South-East Development Commission or the Federal Ministry of Works to carry out emergency palliative repairs on damaged and impassable sections of the highway.
It also urged the Federal Ministry of Works to commence comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction through a special intervention programme or another appropriate funding arrangement.
The lawmakers said the road’s strategic role in connecting the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones made urgent federal intervention necessary.
As part of efforts to ensure accountability and speed up the process, the Senate mandated its Committee on Works to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the highway, engage relevant stakeholders and submit a report with recommendations within four weeks.
The Senate Committees on Works and Appropriations were also tasked with ensuring adequate budgetary provisions for the full rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road.
The proposed intervention is expected to address immediate safety concerns while providing a lasting solution to the infrastructure challenges confronting communities, motorists and businesses along the corridor.
The motion has renewed attention on the need to rehabilitate critical federal roads that support regional commerce, agricultural transportation, energy operations and economic integration across the country.
