CDHR Urges Oborevwori to Commence Immediate Construction of Alternative Route as Agbarho-Ughelli Expressway, East-West Road collapsed in Delta

By Ezekiel Kagbala

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Delta State Branch, has urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to treat the worsening condition of the Agbarho Expressway as an emergency and commence immediate construction of an alternative route to ease the growing hardship faced by motorists and commuters.

This came as severe flooding overwhelmed local drainage channels, causing a major culvert near the Agbarho Police Station to cave in and completely washing away portions of the highway.

The group said the strategic road linking Agbarho and Ughelli via the East-West Road had been badly affected by flooding, with sections of the road reportedly nearing collapse amid heavy rainfall, poor drainage and what it described as unregulated dredging activities in the area.

The call was contained in a statement signed by the CDHR Delta State Chairman, Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, and State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Nosa Overseey, in Warri on Wednesday and made available to journalists.

According to the rights group, the worsening situation had triggered serious traffic congestion and prolonged gridlock, leaving motorists, commuters and haulage operators stranded for hours.

CDHR noted that the East-West Road was a major federal artery linking Delta State with Bayelsa, Rivers and other South-South states, stressing that the route was also critical to movement towards the state capital, Asaba, through Ughelli North Local Government Area.

“Motorists, commuters, and haulage trucks are stranded for hours. Lives and businesses are being affected daily,” the group said.

CDHR called on the Oborevwori administration to commence immediate construction of an alternative route to provide access for motorists and pedestrians while urgent intervention is pursued on the affected expressway.

It also demanded the deployment of emergency response teams to manage traffic, prevent accidents and reduce the hardship being experienced by road users.

The organisation further urged the state government to commence palliative works on the damaged sections pending comprehensive rehabilitation by the Federal Government, while engaging the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and the Federal Ministry of Works for urgent intervention.

“We cannot wait for the road to completely cut off before we act. Delta’s economy and movement depend on this road,” CDHR warned.

The group said the worsening condition of the Agbarho-Ughelli axis had become unbearable, noting that goods were also being trapped alongside commuters and commercial vehicles.

“An alternative route is not a luxury. It is a necessity,” CDHR stated, urging the state government to act immediately before the strategic corridor becomes completely impassable.