Commuters and residents plying the 9th Mile–Obollo-Afor–Makurdi Federal Highway and the connecting Obollo-Afor–Eha-Amufu–Nkalagu road have lamented the deplorable condition of the routes, saying the abandonment of construction works has exposed travellers to kidnapping, vehicle breakdowns and severe dust pollution.
The affected road users, who spoke with our correspondents on Thursday, said the abrupt departure of the contractors handling the road had rendered major sections of the corridors virtually impassable and worsened the condition of the roads.
They described the situation as a “double jeopardy” of mechanical damage and insecurity, lamenting the physical, health and economic toll caused by the prolonged construction delays.
A commercial driver, Chisom Njoku, said the ongoing dualisation project had brought more hardship to motorists using the route.
He said though the road was actually in a terrible state before, the rehabilitation and reconstruction had not brought any relief because of the slow pace of work being done.
Njoku said, “I can say from my experience that the road has been deserted because the ongoing construction by the Federal Government has not helped matters. It has in fact worsened the bad or ugly nature of what we had before now. The road has become so lonely and almost impassable.
“A lot of booby traps—kidnappers are now having a field day with the few drivers and trucks plying the road. The Federal Government should intensify efforts to get that road completed. People plying that road are suffering. You suffer vehicle damage and face the risk of being kidnapped or attacked by criminals. It is a double tragedy for road users on that particular axis.”
Beyond the security threats and vehicular damage, residents along the corridor also highlighted the environmental pollution caused by unpaved earthworks left behind by the contractors.
A petty trader, Beatrice Ugwu, whose shop is situated along the Ogede Junction, recounted how heavy dust plumes had affected local businesses and public health.
“Living along this road has become a health hazard. Ever since the contractors excavated the topsoil and left without laying asphalt, thick clouds of dust cover everywhere whenever heavy trucks pass. My merchandise is constantly coated in red dust, and I have to wash my shop items several times daily just to sell anything,” Ugwu stated.
“Worse still, my children and I have been battling persistent coughs and catarrh for months. The dust pollution is suffocating us,” she said.
Another resident in the Eha-Amufu area, Emmanuel Odo, decried the economic hardship caused by the impassable state of the feeder corridors.
“Farmers in our communities can no longer transport their agricultural produce to markets in Obollo-Afor or neighbouring states efficiently,” Odo lamented.
“Perishable crops rot on the way because drivers charge double to risk their vehicles on these gullies. The government opened up earthworks, destroyed the old manageable surface, and then pulled out the equipment. We are suffering both environmental pollution from dust during dry spells and impassable mud traps when it rains.”
Concurring with Odo’s sentiments, a roadside mechanic operating near the Okpatu axis, Sunday Ezema, noted that while the bad roads brought him temporary repair jobs, the general insecurity had hurt overall business activity.
“Yes, we fix broken axles and damaged suspensions every day, but the truth is that people are terrified of coming down this road.
“By 4:00pm, the highway is completely deserted because everyone fears kidnappers hiding in the abandoned construction diversions. The dust from the uncompleted road fills our eyes and lungs from morning till night. We urge the Minister of Works to direct the contractors back to the site immediately before the corridor becomes totally cut off.”
