The Global Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a socio-cultural organisation, has called on the Federal Government to urgently rehabilitate and reconstruct the Owerri-Aba Expressway. This appeal was made in a statement signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, factional Deputy President General, and Prof. Chibuikeya Achoakawa, Acting Secretary General. The organisation expressed concern over the condition of sections of the Owerri-Aba corridor, which has become a major issue for motorists, transport operators, traders, manufacturers, and other road users.
The Owerri-Aba Expressway is economically significant as it connects Owerri, an administrative, business, and transportation centre, with Aba, a major commercial and manufacturing hub in the South-East. The highway facilitates the movement of goods, agricultural produce, and passengers, supporting inter-city trade, small and medium-sized businesses, industrial activities, tourism, hospitality, and daily commuting. Ohanaeze noted that the deterioration of the road increases vehicle maintenance costs, prolongs travel time, raises logistics expenses, and exposes road users to safety risks.
Ohanaeze commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, for the ongoing intervention on the First Niger Bridge and other federal road projects. The organisation urged Umahi to undertake an on-the-spot inspection of the Owerri-Aba Expressway to assess sections requiring emergency repairs, comprehensive rehabilitation, drainage correction, pavement reconstruction, and other safety measures. Ohanaeze emphasised that it is not seeking preferential treatment but proportional attention to a strategic federal highway with significant economic importance.
The First Niger Bridge, linking Anambra and Delta states, was closed to traffic on September 7 for emergency rehabilitation after vandalised structural components were discovered. The Minister of Works, Umahi, inspected the bridge on September 23 and reported significant progress, including the replacement and securing of vandalised bolts and the installation of a specialised expansion joint. The bridge is expected to reopen next week, subject to completion of critical works. Ohanaeze commended the Federal Government for its intervention, describing it as evidence that critical infrastructure can receive urgent attention when necessary.
Ohanaeze urged the Federal Government to extend the same sense of urgency to the Owerri-Aba Expressway, stating that the First Niger Bridge intervention demonstrated the importance of prompt technical assessment, proper supervision, and prioritisation of public safety. The organisation called for a shift from emergency repairs to preventive maintenance of critical infrastructure, arguing that federal highways should be regularly inspected and maintained before their conditions deteriorate into major emergencies.
The organisation pledged to continue acknowledging government interventions while also drawing attention to infrastructure challenges affecting Ndigbo and other Nigerians. Ohanaeze's appeal is ultimately for safe roads, durable infrastructure, and effective attention to strategic federal highways across the South-East. The group's statement highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent infrastructure deterioration and ensure public safety.
Ohanaeze's call for urgent attention to the Owerri-Aba Expressway reflects the concerns of road users and the economic importance of the highway. The organisation's emphasis on preventive maintenance and prompt intervention underscores the need for a proactive approach to infrastructure management. As the Federal Government continues to address infrastructure challenges, Ohanaeze's appeal serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritising critical infrastructure projects.
Key points
- Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide urges Nigerian govt to urgently rehabilitate Owerri-Aba Expressway.
- The Owerri-Aba Expressway is economically significant, connecting Owerri and Aba, major hubs in the South-East.
- Ohanaeze commends the Federal Government for its intervention on the First Niger Bridge and seeks similar attention for the Owerri-Aba Expressway.
