Govt begins repair of failed Warri-Benin expressway

In response to public outcry over the deplorable condition of the Warri-Benin expressway, the Delta State government has mobilized a contractor to site to begin the repair of several failed portions around Mereje junction and Adedje in Okpe council of Delta State.

The failed portions had over time become huge craters making it almost impossible for heavy vehicles such as trailers and tankers to access. The road is littered with over turned load-bearing trucks, especially those caring containers.

The failed spots have become zones for robberies and kidnapping as travelers have had their vehicles hijacked or commandeered into nearby bushes where they are robbed and raped by criminal gangs sometimes wearing police uniforms.

The Guardian learnt that the deplorable condition of the strategic link on the East -West road had been severally discussed at the state executive meeting with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa allegedly promising to take the matter up with the Federal Government, since it is a federal road.

The Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Chief James Augoye, who said he would visit the spot, told The Guardian via text message that the repair was being done by the state with a local contractor, Obakpor Construction Ltd.

A trailer driver, Joshua Opun, who was seen at the failed spot where his truck broke down said he had spent a week at the spot because his load bearing truck tilted dangerously and nearly overturned as he tried to avoid the huge potholes.

He said: “I don’t understand why this road has been left in this condition for too long. Look around; all you see is broken down trailers. I am coming from Lagos and taking this container to Port Harcourt, but we have been stuck here since a week and we need a heavy crane to help us stand the truck, as it is about to fall on its side. This road is a strategic road it should be maintained regularly,” he said.