Ohanaeze Ndigbo Labels Owerri-Aba Highway a ‘National Emergency’ Amid Infrastructure Crisis

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has officially declared the Owerri–Aba Federal Highway a national emergency. In a statement released on Friday, the group characterized the road’s current state as a significant threat to public safety and regional economic stability, urging the federal government to prioritize its reconstruction.

A Call for Federal Intervention

According to the statement issued by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Deputy President-General, and Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa, the Acting Secretary-General, the highway has become a major hazard for commuters. The organization has directly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to initiate immediate palliative measures followed by a comprehensive dualization project.

The group highlighted specific sections of the road that have reached a critical state of disrepair, most notably the corridor between Nekede Polytechnic Junction and the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, as well as the Ngo-Okpala–Owerrinta stretch near the Imo–Abia boundary.

Criticism of Regional Leadership

Beyond the demand for federal action, Ohanaeze Ndigbo directed sharp criticism toward Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who serves as the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum. The organization questioned the effectiveness of his leadership in advocating for regional infrastructure needs.

The statement challenged Governor Uzodimma to demonstrate tangible results from his position, arguing that political prominence should not take precedence over the delivery of essential services. The group suggested that the continued neglect of the highway undermines public confidence in the political leadership of the region, noting that the failure to address such a vital economic artery could have political ramifications in the 2027 election cycle.

Economic and Safety Implications

Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasized that the deterioration of the Owerri–Aba route is not merely a logistical inconvenience but a significant economic burden. The poor road conditions have led to:

• Increased frequency of avoidable traffic accidents and fatalities.
• Prolonged travel times for commuters and transport operators.
• Disruption of the movement of goods, impacting businesses across Imo and Abia states.
• Heightened costs for traders and local commercial activities.

With the festive season approaching, the organization warned that the volume of traffic on the highway is expected to rise, making the need for intervention more urgent. They argued that the federal government must demonstrate that the welfare of citizens is a priority by ensuring the road is safe for travel before the holiday period begins.

Conclusion

Ohanaeze Ndigbo maintains that the current state of the Owerri–Aba Federal Highway is an unacceptable eyesore that requires immediate administrative action rather than further political discourse. While the organization has laid out its grievances regarding both federal and state-level responses, the core of their position remains that the infrastructure is essential for the survival and connectivity of the region. As of now, there has been no official response from the federal government or the office of the Imo State Governor regarding these specific demands.

<

p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: Abia State · Imo State · Infrastructure · news · Nigeria · Ohanaeze Ndigbo · Transportation · ViralBrief