Senate Seeks Urgent Rehabilitation Of Ogbaru–Ndoni Federal Highway
The Senate has called for the urgent rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Onitsha–Iyiowa–Odekpe–Atani–Ogwuikpele–Ndoni Federal Highway in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, following concerns over its deteriorating condition and impact on transportation and economic activities.
The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Tony Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, highlighting the need for immediate intervention on the strategic highway.
Nwoye described the road as a critical transportation corridor linking Nigeria’s South-East and South-South geopolitical zones, noting that it was partially constructed in the late 1980s but had suffered decades of neglect without major rehabilitation.
He lamented that prolonged abandonment, ageing infrastructure, increased traffic and inadequate routine maintenance had left the highway in a deplorable condition, characterised by extensive pavement failures, deep potholes and severe erosion.
According to the senator, the poor state of the road poses serious risks to the lives and property of commuters and other road users, while increasing travel time, transportation costs and the likelihood of vehicle breakdowns.
He explained that a journey of approximately 70 kilometres from Onitsha to Ogbaru and Ndoni, which would ordinarily take about one hour, now takes nearly two hours because of the deteriorating road conditions.
Nwoye added that the situation had resulted in the loss of productive working hours, disrupted commercial activities and exposed stranded motorists and commuters to road accidents and heightened security risks.
He further stressed the economic importance of the highway, particularly its role in supporting oil and gas exploration and production activities within the Ogbaru oil belt, which contributes to Nigeria’s economy and Gross Domestic Product.
The senator warned that continued neglect of the road had adversely affected interstate commerce, agricultural value chains, regional integration and investment, undermining efforts to promote economic development and national connectivity.
He also cautioned that further deterioration would worsen the hardship faced by residents of Anambra and Rivers states, increase the cost of transporting goods and passengers, and negatively affect businesses and oil-related operations that depend on the corridor.
Following deliberations on the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to undertake emergency palliative repairs on the failed and unmotorable sections of the highway. It also proposed that the South-East Development Commission or the Federal Ministry of Works could be mandated to carry out the intervention.
The lawmakers further called on the Federal Ministry of Works to commence the immediate rehabilitation and reconstruction of the highway through a special intervention programme or another appropriate funding arrangement, citing its strategic importance to inter-regional transportation and economic activities.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate mandated its Committee on Works to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the highway, engage relevant stakeholders and submit a report with appropriate recommendations within four weeks.
The Senate also directed its Committees on Works and Appropriations to ensure adequate budgetary provisions for the comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road.
The proposed intervention is expected to address the immediate safety concerns associated with the failed sections of the highway while paving the way for a comprehensive reconstruction project to restore the road’s role as a vital link between the South-East and South-South regions.
