Asaba-Onitsha Expressway Collapse: Mud and Potholes Strain Asaba’s Economy

Asaba, NIGERIA — As the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway deteriorates into a state of severe disrepair, chaotic stretch of mud and potholes, casting a shadow over the Asaba’s economic vitality and quality of life, the Delta State capital has finds itself in the throes of a severe federal infrastructure crisis. Once a vital conduit for crucial artery for commerce and daily commutes, the expressway’s collapse has led to a host of problems for residents and businesses alike.’

The road’s decline, especially around the Bonsaac/Ezenei Junction, has created a nightmarish scenario for drivers and pedestrians. The situation has worsened to the point where the Timber Market and Jemok Junction are also affected, provoking widespread frustration among residents, businesses, and motorists, who face daily obstacles navigating the deteriorating route.

Critics have laid blame at the feet of both the Federal Government and the Delta State Government, questioning their roles in the maintenance and repair of crucial infrastructure.

Federal authorities, responsible for overseeing federal roads in the South-South and South-East regions, have been accused of neglecting their duties. Local dissatisfaction has been directed at Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as well, who has been criticized for not doing enough to address the road’s deteriorating condition. Despite his assurances of focusing on various types of road infrastructure—rural, riverine, urban, and highway—there is a growing perception that his administration’s efforts have been insufficient.

Residents have reported that the lack of effective drainage systems, coupled with development encroaching on previously flood-prone areas, has exacerbated the road’s deterioration. Recent attempts by the contractor responsible for road repairs to address the most problematic sections have been seen as a stopgap measure rather than a comprehensive solution.

Amid this turmoil, a troubling yet resourceful trend has emerged. Local youth have begun to capitalize on the road’s dire state. Young boys, entrenched in the mud, offer navigation assistance to drivers, while girls sell nylon bags to pedestrians seeking to shield their legs from the muck. For these enterprising individuals, the road’s misfortune has become a source of livelihood.

Said one of the boys, “I am not happy about this at all. I contribute my own quota by helping the motorists not to enter the worst parts that could get them grounded or fall, especially the trucks. I’m not happy seeing the pains people undergo, trying to go to town back to their residence.

“I make good money on daily basis especially when it rains and the road becomes impassable. My father is late. It is only my mother that cater for me and my siblings. So, with the money I make here, I support her financially to run the home,” another boy said.

One of the girls who would not want her name in print said: “I come out around 7am daily since the state of the road worsened. I buy small black nylon bags and sell two pieces for N50 to those who want to pass through the muddy road.

Though I make money from the nylon bags I sell, I pray the state government to intervene especially as schools are going to resume this week.

“As a JSS student, with the money I make from these nylons, I’m not going to border my parents for my notebooks, textbooks and school uniforms. If this road continues to get worsen, it is my gain but I want a society where everybody is happy and flourishing.”

“I’m not happy about this at all,” one boy explained. “But the money I earn helps support my family after my father’s death.”

Another girl, who sells nylon bags, expressed a similar sentiment: “I wish the road were in better condition. Although I make some money from selling these bags, I hope for a society where everyone can thrive.”

Presently, majority of the commercial buses that ply the expressway avoid the failed area of the expressway. The adjoining streets to Asaba main town now record heavy traffic as nobody wants to get trapped on the expressway.

The urgency of the situation is compounded by the upcoming 8th National Youth Games, which will draw a significant number of visitors to Asaba. The poor condition of the road poses a potential logistical nightmare for the influx of sports enthusiasts and may negatively impact the city’s image as an event host.

As the state gears up to showcase its hospitality and infrastructure capabilities, the pressure is mounting on Governor Oborevwori and his administration. With appeals from the public for intervention and improvements, the time has come for the state government to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the infrastructure crisis and enhancing the city’s appeal for residents, visitors and investors.

Some say it’s a shame for Asaba, the capital of the oil-rich Delta State, to wear dirty, muddy and dilapidated looks it is spotting presently following the collapse of the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway. They called on the Governor Oborevwori to intervene and save residents and businesses like his predecessor, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa did that earned him the title, “Roadmaster.”

The current predicament highlights a crucial moment for Delta State’s leadership, offering both a challenge and a chance to affirm their dedication to public welfare and economic development. The future of Asaba’s infrastructure—and its broader impact on the region—hangs in the balance as the state grapples with this pressing issue.

The ongoing situation underscores a critical juncture for Delta State’s leadership, offering both a challenge and an opportunity to affirm its dedication to the welfare of its citizens and the economic health of the region.