The lawmaker who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, Senator Tony Nwoye, on Saturday led a team of stakeholders on a spot assessment of the highway, describing the situation as “a nightmare” and “a disgrace to the Federal Government.”
Residents of Anambra North and parts of Enugu State have been left stranded as the Onitsha–33–Aguleri–Ayamelum–Adani federal highway collapses completely, cutting off commuters, farmers, and local businesses from their communities.
The lawmaker who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, Senator Tony Nwoye, on Saturday led a team of stakeholders on a spot assessment of the highway, describing the situation as “a nightmare” and “a disgrace to the Federal Government.”
He lamented that the road, which links Onitsha through 33 Junction, Nkwelle, Aguleri, Ayamelum Local Government Area, and down to Adani in Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State, has become totally impassable.
The Senator stressed that the collapse of the road has cut off at least seven local government areas in Anambra North, namely Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, and Oyi, as well as communities in Enugu State, leaving farmers unable to transport food to markets.
In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Nwoye said, “Onitsha, 33, Aguleri, Olanagu, Omo, Adane Highway; this is a road that connects many communities.
“These communities produce farm produce, but there is no way to transport it. This road, as I said, is controlled by the Federal Government.
“This is why the people of Ayamelum cannot access their food. They have to go through shortcuts, using motorcycles, to move. On my way here, I saw a woman struggling on a motorbike. They can’t go through this federal road.”
Nwoye called on the Minister of Finance to work with the Ministry of Works to release funds for the project, warning that the suffering of his constituents will only worsen if the government continues to drag its feet.
He said, “We are appealing to the Honourable Minister of Works, who has also briefed Mr. President, who has given tacit approval, to urgently intervene, for this road to be awarded and for succor to be given to the people of Anambra North through emergency repairs of the critical sections, pending the final award.
“The people of Ayamelum Local Government, the people of Anambra East, the people of Anambra West, the people of Onitsha North and Onitsha South, who want to travel to Abuja or Onitsha, or those who want to bring their produce from their farms to Onitsha, are cut off. They cannot move through this federal road, and there is no other viable route.
“The alternative route is very far, and it is not a federal road. It is dilapidated and almost cut off. It is a nightmare.”
He accused the Federal Government of neglect despite the Senate passing a motion in July 2023 calling for urgent reconstruction of the highway.
He reminded President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) had already granted a ‘No Objection’ approval for the project.
He said, “A motion was moved by my humble self in July 2023, barely a month after I was sworn in. The President has given tacit approval. The Bureau of Public Procurement has done its part through a No Objection.
“What remains is the final phase — the award. I understand the issue of paucity of funds, but pending the approval by the National Assembly, or pending the sourcing of funds for the main award of this road, because it is a stretch of almost 50 to 60 kilometers in length, let there be emergency repairs on the critical sections, so that people can access their places.
“But the most paramount is the main award. This is my appeal to Mr. President, to the Honourable Minister of Works and his team, to the entire management, and also to the Honourable Minister of Finance, to assist with funding.”
“I have a question to ask: Have you seen any vehicle? Have you seen any? You cannot believe that this is a federal road. You cannot believe it,” he added.