The terrible state of the Delta State portion of the Sapele/Benin expressway has become a source of concern for commuters who ply the route, IJAW NEWS has learnt.
The expressway which has badly deteriorated has become unmotorable especially at Mosogar Junction by the popular palm wine joint along Sapele/Benin Expressway, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta state.
In August, aggrieved Niger Delta youths under the aegis of Freedom Ambassadors Organisations had occupied the expressway in protest of the neglect of the road by the Federal Government.
Chairman of the group, Mr. Daniel Omorogbe, said the blocking of the road became necessary following series of deaths and unquantifiable man hours commuters spend on the road while trying to get to their destinations.
“Last year, we protested and the state governor came and made his promise that within 24 hours, he is going to mobilise contractors to work and really, he did.
“He came with Hartland and Levant contractors and after the first day of their working, the Federal Government sent their troops. They asked the contractors to stop the work. They said the road belongs to the Federal Government and not to the state.
“And ever since, they have not been working. So, we did another letter to the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja, they replied to us, saying contract had been awarded to Levant Construction Company. I went to Levant, the contractor, they said they didn’t award the road to them.”
However, one month after the protest, the road is yet to get attention putting commuters in perpetual inconvenience and risk.
See photos below;
Photo credit: GbaramatuVoice