Bad state of East-West road leaves hundreds stranded, traumatised

The deplorable state of the East-West road in South South geo-political zone of Nigeria is beginning to take a toll on commuters plying the strategic highway.

Hundreds of citizens were left stranded from the weekend till late Monday on the Kolokuma/Opokuma and Mbiama sections in Bayelsa State. The road links the 11 states in South South and South East regions.

The Guardian learnt that for over 24 hours, vehicles coming from Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital as well as Delta and Rivers states were held up in a most horrible traffic gridlock ever witnessed since construction of the Bayelsa section of the road was halted.

The traffic jam stretched from Opokuma junction through Zarama and Kaiama Bridge, leaving commuters to walk distances with the aid of torchlight and illumination from handsets. While that of Mbiama junction stretched over three kilometers, Kolokuma / Opokuma section’s was even farther, with users recounting their ordeals.

When The Guardian visited the spot, commuters were seen trekking long distances after waiting endlessly for their vehicles to meander through the highway where heavy trucks had already stuck.

The Guardian, August 30, 2017

 

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