From Paul Osuyi
Youths in Delta State, under the aegis of Anioma Youth Forum Worldwide (AYF-W), have expressed grave concerns over the worsening state of road infrastructure in Asaba, the state capital.
The youth body is particularly irked by the deplorable condition of the Asaba axis of the Benin-Onitsha highway, a major gateway to the eastern part of the country.
In a statement jointly signed by it’s national president, Nnamdi Ofonye; and publicity secretary, Elvis Ekwukwo, AYF-W blamed the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration in Delta State for the decaying condition of road infrastructure in Asaba.
Admitting that the Benin-Onitsha highway is under the Federal Government, the youth body described it as a critical infrastructure that effectively split Asaba into two, adding that It has become imperative for the state government to assume responsibility for “the stretch of road within the city limits to restore it to a standard befitting of a state capital like is done in other states of the federation.
“Thereafter, the state government can take steps to recoup whatever revenue was ploughed into it from the federal government of Nigeria.”
The statement claimed that Asaba has witnessed a dramatic decline in terms of development, especially with regard to road infrastructure, in nearly two years of the Oborevwori administration.
“It is disgraceful that upon crossing from Anambra State into Asaba, travellers are greeted by an almost impassable section of the expressway, a stark contrast to the relatively better-maintained roads on the Anambra side. Asaba residents and commuters, particularly those living or working on the opposite side of the city, are forced to endure the ordeal of navigating this devastated road daily. The result is wasted time, economic losses, and an overall decline in the city’s quality of life.
“Just last week, it was only a miracle that the entire Akwuofor area and other adjoining streets were not wiped out by inferno arising from a fallen tanker filled with PMS on that section of badly deplored road. What would have been the response from the state government other than pulling out hundreds of millions of naira for palliatives and compensation to families after the avoidable losses? To us, it would serve better deploying such resources into placating disasters from happening than being insensitive to it and crying wolf and expressing grief after it had occurred.
“Furthermore, this ugly state of the Asaba axis of Benin-Onitsha expressway has again put pressure on the Ezenei/Ogbogonogo/Nnebisi internal road as commuters and all road users now divert through that road putting it at risk of dilapidation in the shortest possible time.
“This unacceptable state of affairs cannot continue. How much longer must the people of Asaba and Delta State suffer under these conditions across all parts of the state?
“AYF-W urgently calls on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to prioritise the rehabilitation of this key road. While the development of other parts of Delta State is important and must be attended to as well, Asaba, as the state capital, must not be left to languish in neglect and rot. The Onitsha-Benin motorway is more than just a road. It is one of the lifelines of Asaba, and its continued deterioration is a blight on the city and the general image of the state.
“It is imperative to state here without fear of contradiction that the continuous development of Asaba, the capital city of Delta State, is non-negotiable, neither should it be a topic of debate or a matter of choice for any administration, irrespective of the senatorial zone the governor hails from. Its status as a state capital imposes on it the signature status of the state, and such must be maintained.
“It is saddening that despite the huge allocations to the state since its creation, Asaba has remained a far cry from what it should be, owing to politics of ethnic jingoism and bias against its development. The capital city only witnessed a minor facelift under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration. However, such facelift,, which has proven itself to be substandard has been left to deteriorate and deplore beyond the level of acceptance in less than two years of the present administration. Asaba is gradually becoming an eyesore.
“We, therefore, demand that the Delta State Government take immediate and decisive action to fix this critical infrastructure, among others. Delta State, as an oil-rich state, deserves a capital city they can be proud of and not one that is divided, abandoned, and dilapidated.
