By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
A chieftain of the Ntighauzo Amairi Progressives in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State has renewed calls for the urgent completion of the dualisation of the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road, citing recurring fatal accidents along the route.
The chieftain, Dr. Henry Ndubuisi Ahukanna, said the only lasting solution to the frequent road crashes on the highway is the full dualisation of the remaining undivided section.
He explained that about seven kilometres of the road, stretching from Umuopara to Opobo Junction in Aba, remain undualised, a situation he described as a major cause of persistent road carnage in the area.
Ahukanna made the appeal following a recent accident at the Ntigha Ukpakiri axis of the road, which reportedly claimed the lives of two indigenes of Ntighauzo community, identified as Chiemela Nwachukwu and Onyebuchi Onyeije.
He lamented the continued loss of young lives along the highway, noting that the community has recorded multiple fatalities within the year.
“We are making a strong and urgent appeal for the dualisation of the remaining segment to forestall future mishaps,” he said.
“This year, our community has lost three young men in their prime. The lives of our people and other communities living along the fringes of the highway are highly threatened. It is devastating to see the lives of our illustrious young men cut down in their prime by reckless drivers,” he added.
He further criticised what he described as the uneven development of the road, where some sections have been dualised while others remain single carriageway, warning that this inconsistency contributes significantly to accidents.
The group urged relevant authorities to prioritise the completion of the project to enhance road safety, improve transportation efficiency, and reduce avoidable loss of lives along the busy corridor.
