By Kelechi Esogwa-Amadi
Despite the reported promise of N2.5 billion for the repair of the Akpajo-Eleme axis of the East-West Road by the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, the road is yet to be repaired. TPCN’s investigation revealed that the road is still in a deplorable condition, with the Akpajo bridge still cracked.
Also, the traffic gridlock that has become a recurrent decimal along the road is still being witnessed, compounded by the heavy rains pouring frequently in this part of the clime.
TPCN learnt that on Tuesday evening, vehicles heading from the Ogoni/Eleme axis to Akpajo/Port Harcourt were forced to divert to the old Ebubu-Eleme-Oyigbo Road because of the hold-up caused by the bad Eleme-Akpajo Road.
Drivers who felt that the Eleme-Oyigbo link road was too long for them – especially the bus drivers – had to cut through the Refinery Road as an alternative, to avoid the Trailer Park axis where the holdup was highest.
This lingering scenario at the Akpajo-Eleme axis of the East-West Road brings into question the genuineness of the N2.5 billion-repair-fund promise reportedly made by the Niger Delta Minister, Godswill Akpabio.
Two months ago, Ogoni youths, in collaboration with some other youth leaders in the state, blocked the road for days in protest over its deplorable condition. They vowed not to vacate the road until the federal government showed commitment towards repairing it.
The protest became a national embarrassment until the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, intervened with a promise of approving N2.5 billion for reconstruction of the road and another N2.5 billion for compensation of owners of houses marked for demolition.
But two months after the promise, the reconciliation of the road has not kicked off.
A bus driver who plies the Eleme Junction – Onne route on daily basis, told TPCN on Tuesday that they had resigned to fate, adding that anything could happen in the road.
He said: “When they promised to repair the road with N2.5. billion, we we’re happy that God has finally answered our prayers. But see now, nothing is happening here.
“We can’t see any repair work. They’re just playing with our brain. Look at how bad the road is; it’s even getting worse. Yesterday Monday evening, I know what we suffered here. Today now, the trailers have come to carry their materials. By the time they will start leaving, you will see how the road will be. Everywhere will be blocked. As for me, I don’t care again. Anyhow they want the road to be, let it be. All of us are Nigerians.”
TPCN could see many trailers and big lorries packed by the side of the road near Indorama, waiting for their turns to load their products.
As at the time of sending this report, it was not possible to reach either Senator Godswill Akpabio or any of the youth leaders that organised the protest two months ago to comment on the non- commencement of work on the road.
