Tony Nwoye, the senator representing Anambra North senatorial district has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently fix the Onitsha–33–Aguleri–Ayamelum–Adani expressway, describing it as “completely impassable” and a major source of hardship for residents and farmers across seven local government areas in Anambra State.

Nwoye made the call on Saturday, after embarking on a spot assessment of the dilapidated road alongside selected stakeholders.

The highway, which links Onitsha to Nkwelle, Aguleri, Ayamelum LGA, and further into Adani in Enugu State, has long been a lifeline for communities in the Anambra North senatorial district.

Speaking at the scene, the visibly disturbed lawmaker lamented that the road had been “cut off and left in the most deplorable condition,” leaving thousands of commuters stranded and communities disconnected from their farms and markets.

“These communities produce farm produce, but there is no way to transport it. This road, as I said, is controlled by the Federal Government,” Nwoye said.

“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,” he added.

The senator warned that the situation, if left unattended, would only worsen the economic plight of farmers and traders who depend on the road to move goods into Onitsha, one of Nigeria’s largest commercial hubs.

“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,” he said.

“The alternative route is very far, and it is not a federal road. It is dilapidated and almost cut off. It is a nightmare.”

Nwoye recalled that in July 2023, the Senate had passed a motion he sponsored calling for the urgent rehabilitation of the road.

He noted that he had since engaged the Ministry of Works through letters and personal visits to ensure the award and execution of the project, which had already received a “No Objection” approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

“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,” he stated.

“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.”

He called on President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to urgently intervene and direct immediate emergency repairs on critical sections of the highway.

He further urged the Minister of Finance to release funds to fast-track the project.

“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,” Nwoye said.

He also challenged Nigerians to see the road themselves. “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.”

The senator stressed that beyond the temporary palliatives, the priority must remain the award and full reconstruction of the road to permanently end the suffering of his constituents.

“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,” he said. (BusinessDay)