The Chairman of Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mbakpone Okpe, has called on the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently repair an erosion-damaged section of the East-West Road in the Kira-Ogoni axis, attributing the damage to heavy flooding that has swept through the area.
Okpe, alongside residents of the community, says the heavy flooding has caused severe erosion along the road, forcing motorists to navigate a single lane and exposing road users to danger.
The chairman disclosed that more than six accidents had occurred around the affected section, with two persons reportedly killed and several others taken to hospital.
“Two persons have died. A lot were taken to hospital,” Okpe said, recalling an accident he witnessed and immediately reported to the ministry’s controller.
He explained that the situation had become so concerning that members of the community planned to block the road in protest last week, but he appealed to them to exercise restraint.
Speaking during a meeting with a representative of the Federal Ministry of Works, Okpe said the local government had written to relevant authorities, including the federal and state ministries of works and the deputy governor, who oversees the state flood committee.
He said the responses received indicated that intervention would follow once the rains stopped completely, but expressed concern over the risks posed by the continuing deterioration of the road.
The chairman also spoke about discussions involving construction company RCC, which he said had initially offered to carry out repairs as a goodwill gesture using available materials, but later indicated that it was waiting for the Federal Government to settle outstanding payments before mobilising to the site.
Okpe maintained that the damaged section was separate from RCC’s previous expressway project and insisted that the Federal Ministry of Works should take responsibility for the emergency repairs.
“This section of the road has nothing to do with RCC. This is the entire responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Works,” he said.
He urged the ministry to assess the damage, prepare a bill of quantities and engage a contractor to undertake the repairs without further delay.
“The processes and procedures people are talking about have nothing to do with this. It is an emergency job,” the chairman said, warning that further erosion could cause the road to collapse completely.
President of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Olu Angah Wai-Ogosu, has also called for urgent intervention, raising concerns about possible environmental factors behind the road damage.
Wai-Ogosu suspects that sand mining activities around the area may have weakened the soil, making it more vulnerable to erosion during heavy flooding. His suspicion has not been independently confirmed.
He urged the Rivers State Government to intervene quickly, suggesting that it could undertake the repairs and subsequently seek reimbursement from the Federal Government.
The East-West Road is a major transport corridor connecting Rivers State with Akwa Ibom, Cross River and other parts of the country.
The damage has raised concerns about road safety, the movement of goods and passengers, and the economic impact on communities and businesses that depend on the route.
Residents are calling on the relevant authorities to prioritise emergency repairs to prevent further damage and protect road users.
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