The President General of respected Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress, ONC, Amb. Emeni Ibe (JP, AP), has called on multinational oil companies operating in the Abua area as well as the State and Federal governments, to urgently address the deplorable condition of the Abua–Ahoada Road in Rivers State.
Ibe made the appeal following the recent accident involving a truck loaded with crude oil products which fell along the Abua–Ahoada axis, raising serious safety concerns for motorists and residents.
Reacting to the incident, Amb Ibe stressed that the current condition and narrow nature of the road have contributed significantly to frequent accidents, traffic congestion, and rising insecurity in the area.
According to him, the road serves as a major route for heavy-duty vehicles transporting petroleum products and other goods, making it critical for economic activities within the region.
He therefore, urged the relevant authorities to immediately commence the dualisation of the Abua–Ahoada Road to enhance safety, improve transportation, and boost economic development in the Orashi region.
The leader of the Orashi National Congress further noted that multinational oil companies operating within Abua communities also have a responsibility to support infrastructure development in their host communities as part of their corporate social responsibility.
Ibe warned that if urgent steps are not taken to fix and expand the road, more accidents and security challenges may continue to threaten the lives and livelihoods of residents who rely on the route daily.
He concluded by calling for collaboration between the Federal Government, the Rivers State government, and oil companies to ensure that the Abua–Ahoada Road is upgraded into a standard dual carriageway capable of handling the increasing volume of traffic in the area.