Collapsed East-West road: facilitate alternative routes for motorists, pedestrians, Delta CDHR urges Oborevwori

Following the collapse of the Agbarho Expressway connecting to Ughelli via the East-West Road, due to the flooding occasioned by the heavy rains, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR Delta State Branch today urged the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led Delta State Government to as a matter of urgency facilitate an immediate alternative route for motorists and pedestrians plying the road to enable easy access to other areas and connecting regions. 

Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, Comrade Nosa Overseey,CDHR's Delta State Chairman and Publicity Secretary respectively made the call in a statement sent to Our Correspondent in Warri.  

According to CDHR, the government should, "deploy emergency response teams to manage traffic and prevent accidents. 

"Begin palliative works on the affected sections pending full rehabilitation by the Federal Government. Engage FERMA and the Federal Ministry of Works for urgent intervention.

We cannot wait for the road to completely cut off before we act. Delta’s economy and movement depend on this road.

"Conclusively, the Delta State Government must act now. The suffering of commuters on the Agbarho-Ughelli axis is unbearable given that goods are also trapped alongside. An alternative route is not a luxury. It is a necessity."

While nothing that the Agbarho Expressway connecting to Ughelli via the East-West Road,CDHR pointed out that,"Due to heavy rainfall, poor drainage and unregulated dredging activities within the area, the Agbarho Expressway has been badly impacted by flood. This has led to serious traffic congestion and gridlock."

The CDHR also said that,"The East-West Road is a federal artery connecting Delta to Bayelsa, Rivers, and other South-South states. 

"It is the main route to the State Capital, Asaba, through Ughelli North LGA. Motorists, commuters, and haulage trucks are stranded for hours. Lives and businesses are being affected daily."