The House committees on works and FERMA have been tasked to ensure rehabilitation of the key south-east road
The House of Representatives has mandated its committees on works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to ensure the immediate commencement of the rehabilitation and reconstruction work on the Oba-Nnewi–Okigwe road, especially the Nnewi axis, following a tragic accident on February 14, 2025.
The House equally urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide urgent medical assistance and relief materials to the families of the victims and those injured in the accident.
A truck carrying cement had lost control at the “Ugwu Akpati Ozu” section of the road, destroying nearby shops, killing eight people on the spot, and leaving several others injured.
Rep. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe ( APGA Anambra), who sponsored the motion during Thursday’s plenary, described the road as a “death trap,” citing deep potholes, poor drainage systems, and a lack of maintenance as key contributors to the accident.
He noted that the poor condition of the road has exposed residents and road users to frequent accidents and untimely deaths, while also crippling economic activities in the region.
POTHOLES: Senate demands nationwide road rehabilitation
The deplorable state of the Oba–Nnewi–Okigwe road has brought severe hardship to motorists, traders, and residents, according to Rep. Uzokwe. He emphasized that the road’s condition has not only affected transportation but also worsened the already precarious security situation in the area.
“If urgent rehabilitation and maintenance of this road are not undertaken, more lives will be lost, and the economic potential of the region will continue to suffer,” he warned.
