The road is a nightmare for motorists plying the ever-busy Onitsha-Owerri road, as they now face undue hurdles over the deep potholes and waterlogged portions that pose a serious threat and danger to them.

Besides, they are pointing accusing fingers at the officials and management of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) for not doing anything positive to find a solution to the lingering problems associated with big potholes and bad portions of the road; instead, they are cashing in on the bad situation to extort the motorists.

Sadly, some of the drivers have reported making detours to other roads near the area and totally avoiding the busy Onitsha-Owerri road.

One of the victims, Mr Obinna Favour, who narrated his ordeal at the hands of the ARTMA officials on Saturday, lamented what he described as a “double tragedy” of navigating the deep potholes and facing heavy fines from traffic enforcement officers.

Obinna, who is a commercial bus driver, disclosed that his vehicle was intercepted out of hundreds of vehicles plying the road along St Francis Okpoko by-pass along the Owerri Road by operatives of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA), and taken to the agency’s office at the Bridge Head, Onitsha.

According to Mr Obinna, he was accused of driving against traffic, a “one-way” offence, and was fined N300,000, even when the officials knew how bad the road is in the area.

He cried out to the authority of the agency for help, saying that the violation was not deliberate, as the bad portions of the road are deplorable, with deep potholes, particularly opposite the People’s Club building complex along the Owerri Road, which according to him is in a terrible state, thereby forcing motorists to divert to the other lane for their own safety.

“The potholes are so deep that vehicles are forced to swerve to the other side to avoid damaging their cars. That is how we found ourselves on the other lane,” he said.

He stated that the ARTMA officials at their head office demanded a fine of N300,000 before the vehicle could be released.

“We respect the law and the work ARTMA is doing. But it is painful that we are being fined such a huge amount for an offence that was caused by the bad state of the road itself,” he said.

However, following an appeal to the leadership of the agency, the fine was later reviewed downwards to N150,000 before the vehicle was released.

He appealed to the Anambra State Government, under Governor Prof Charles Soludo, and other relevant agencies, to urgently repair the failed portion of the Onitsha-Owerri Road to prevent further accidents and avoidable arrests.

Also, Mr Chima Nwako, a commercial driver, called for urgent action to repair the road in order to reduce hold-ups and accidents associated with the bad road.

On his part, Mr Ikegbu said the Onitsha-Owerri road has been in a bad state for months, and has forced many to take the opposite lane to avoid the craters.

“We are not supporting one-way. But government should first fix that road. Every day ARTMA is there catching people, but the pothole that is causing it is still there.”

The Managing Director of ARTMA, Mr Emeka Okonkwo, otherwise known as Konti, said the violation has been committed, so the offender should go and pay.

He warned drivers to avoid one-way offences, as anyone caught would be penalised according to the laws of the state. (Nigerian Tribune)