UNLESS urgent steps are taken by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), to rehabilitate the failed portion of the Kaiama Bridge head along the Bayelsa State stretch of the East-West Road, the route stands the risk of not only being cut off but could spell doom for unsuspecting road users.
The bridge, which was built some two decades ago across the Nun River, is one of the several bridges connecting the East-West Road.
A deep gully has formed over time on the Kaiama end of the bridge and is now a source of grave danger to motorists and other road users plying the route.
Gully erosion has also cut off the Obosi Federal By-pass. At least five houses along the former busy road have been washed away by erosion in the last four months.
Investigation by Vanguard revealed that unless urgent remedial steps are taken to salvage the situation, the erosion which is currently limited to only one side of the road could cut off the entire bridge head.
Motorists from the Yenagoa and Port Harcourt end of the route without fore knowledge of the spot are more exposed to the danger especially when on high speed.
Disturbed by the threat posed to road users by the deep crater, some natives of Kaiama have erected make-shift barriers around the failed portion to warn motorists of the looming danger.
A native of the area who simply identified himself as Ebiowei told Vanguard that but for the raffia-palm erected around the failed spot by some concerned villagers many unsuspecting motorists would have lost their lives as a result of its closeness to the bridge head.
He pleaded with the relevant authorities to step into the matter given the strategic importance of the route to the nation�s economy and the oil industry as well as to avert avoidable accidents that could lead to loss of lives.
A motorist plying the Yenagoa-Sagbama route has also lamented the state of the Bayelsa stretch of the East-West Road and called on the Federal Government to commence work on the dualisation of the route following the return of peace in the troubled region.
�The entire stretch of the road is not only a nightmare for motorists because of its deplorable state but this particular ditch is very dangerous given the fact that it is the bridge head and is a valley. Our prayer is that the relevant Federal Government agency responsible for its repair will live up to its responsibility,� the motorists, who gave his name as Dauebi Amara lamented.
Erosion cuts off Obosi bypass
In Anambra, gully erosion has cut off the Obosi Federal By-pass. At least five houses located along the former busy road have been washed away by erosion between June and this September.
Those affected, include a factory complex, Edleoseka Investment Company Limited, which produces wheel-barrows, head-pans and nails.
The Obosi community, home of the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku has been totally cut off from the rest of the world as the road is the only major road to the place.
Contract for the road, which was awarded as part of the contract for the Onitsha-Owerri Road in 2002 is yet to witness appreciable progress, five years after. The Community is accusing the contractors of not keeping faith with the contract and blamed them for the deterioration of the road.
Although no life has been lost as a result of the erosion, property worth several millions of Naira have been destroyed and several people rendered homeless.
Obosi community has written several letters to the contractors and Anambra State Government, complaining of the condition of the road all to no avail.
Gov Obi, Senator Okonkwo visit site
Senator Annie Okonkwo, representing the area, who visited the site last weekend was moved to tears over what the people were going through.
Okonkwo, who was taken along a stretch of the damaged road thereafter drove to Awka to see Governor Peter Obi to see what could be done immediately.
Gov. Obi himself, on account of the visit by the senator, visited the site yesterday, to assess the level of damage by himself.
Addressing the people, led by the executive members of Obosi Development Union, Senator Okonkwo lamented the condition of the road, saying he was surprised to see the road in that condition.
�I never imagined that the road was that bad. I passed here a couple of months ago, I never imagined that it would get to this level of destruction so soon. This road connects almost every part of the state and other parts of the country, so it is a very important road.
�I am here to see things for myself. Our people have suffered so much. The condition of this road can render some industries bankrupt. Over 50,000 have been rendered homeless.
�I will take it up with Mr. President in person. I will ask for emergency relief. The road will be declared an emergency, in fact a disaster, which is what it is. I assure you that I will pursue it, and something will be done about it,� he said.
Sep172007