The long-neglected East-West Road, a crucial route between Warri in Delta State and Benin in Edo State, is finally receiving much-needed attention, following approval  gotten by the The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)  to begin emergency repairs on the most severely damaged sections.

This move comes after public outcry and frequent reports in the media about the road’s deteriorating state, which had forced many travelers to find alternative routes to Lagos. NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku confirmed that work is already underway on the sections at Ibadulume, Amukpe roundabout, Mosoga, and Ologbo. He praised the Federal Government for its swift action and expressed optimism that the road, once repaired, would last under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works.

Ogbuku, alongside  The NDDC Executive Director for Projects Victor Antai and other NDDC officials, inspected the ongoing repairs, emphasizing the importance of completing the project as quickly as possible. He assured the public that the contractors had been fully mobilized, and equipment had been brought to the site.

The NDDC Executive Director  urged local communities and commuters to cooperate with the contractors during the construction period, reiterating that the remedial work should ease the traffic gridlock and discomfort experienced by road users.

The managing director of the civil engineering firm  responsible for the repairs and Director of Special Projects at Webster Nig. Ltd, Adara Opeoluwa, confirmed that the work would focus on repairing a three-kilometer stretch, with the contractor promising to complete the repairs in just two weeks.

For business owners who rely on the East-West Road for transporting goods, the road’s condition has been devastating. “We’ve experienced heavy financial losses due to the poor state of the road,” said Chinedu Okafor, a local supplier. “Deliveries that used to take hours now take days, and in some cases, our goods are damaged or delayed, leading to angry customers and lost revenue. This repair is long overdue

.Frequent travelers along this route have described their experiences as nothing short of a nightmare. “Traveling from Warri to Benin has become unbearable,” lamented Grace Onoriode, a commuter. “The potholes are so large that vehicles often get stuck or break down, leaving us stranded for hours. Many of us have had to seek alternative routes, even though they take much longer.”

Several road users have called on the government to expand its efforts beyond the East-West Road. “While we appreciate the repairs, many other roads in the Niger Delta are also in terrible condition,” noted Obinna Adeyemi, another commuter. “The government should also prioritize fixing roads in other states to ease transportation across the region.”