Thousands of travellers were reportedly stranded on Sunday along the Patani-Kaiama-Mbiama stretch of the East-West Road in Delta State as a result of heavy congestion.
A massive build-up of heavy-duty trucks, tankers and commercial and private vehicles stretching for kilometres in either direction was reported. It was not immediately clear what caused the traffic jam but sources said some vehicles broke down close to a bad spot that is being worked on.
Long traffic jams are commonplace on this and other roads across the country during the seasonal rains, which kicked-off last month.
As at the time of filing this report, security personnel were seen trying to control the situation.
Earlier in the year, the Federal Government had issued and then reversed a directive suspending the ongoing reconstruction work at the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road in Rivers State on grounds of a slow pace of work and the use of sub-standard materials.
It then directed the affected contractor to immediately resume work on all sections of the project and in strict compliance with the contract specifications.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, during an unscheduled visit to the project site expressed sadness over the slow pace of work even after the government had made an advance payment of N33 billion.
A statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Orji Uchenna, later said the minister had rescinded its decision following a meeting with the Permanent Secretary and key Directors of the Ministry at the ministry headquarters in Abuja.
Later in April, a massive, fiery carnage on the East-West Road in Rivers State destroyed 120 vehicles and resulted in five persons losing their lives while goods estimated at billions of naira were razed by fire.
Reports suggest that the tragedy was triggered when a tanker, navigating the dilapidated road, was hit by another heavy-duty vehicle, igniting flames and an explosion.
The East-West Road extends 188 kilometres and connects the Niger Delta cities to Lagos in the West, with Calabar in the East. On its route, the road links up with the vital commercial hubs of Port Harcourt and Warri. The road is laced with no fewer than 31 bridges ranging between 31 and 850 meters.
Farmers and fishermen from a string of communities along its stretch are able to fetch premium prices for their wares when the road is in good condition. There is also the potential for new industrial opportunities and ecotourism in the region’s marshes and mangroves.
