Lawmaker seeks FG intervention on 9th Mile 82 Division Expressway

The Senate Minority Whip and lawmaker representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Senator Osita Ngwu, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the rehabilitation of the 9th Mile 82 Division Expressway, particularly the Ugwuonyeama section, in Enugu State.

Ngwu made the call following a tanker explosion on Saturday that led to casualties whose number are yet to be ascertained.

Reports have it that the road has been undergoing construction for over 15 years due to lack of proper funding to enable the contractor, RCC, deliver the project.

While lamenting the tragic accident, Ngwu urged the Federal Government to direct relevant authorities ensure the speedy rehabilitation of the road to forestall further occurrences.

He also urged the Federal Government to resolve whatever issue it has with MTN which funds the project through the MTN tax credit scheme, saying this will enable the flow of necessary funds to the contractor for the completion of the project.

Stressing the importance of the road, the lawmaker said the 9th Mile to 82 Division Expressway is a critical transportation route that connects Enugu to other parts of the country, hence the need for urgent action by the Federal Government.

He also called on the government to deploy First Responders to all major highways to help stabilise victims of road accidents before handing them over to the nearest healthcare institutions for further attention.

He said, “I appeal to the Federal Government to take immediate action to address the deplorable state of the expressway. The lives of our citizens are at risk, and it is our responsibility to act. Over the years, there has been one form of fatal crash or another being recorded on this highway with their attendant deaths.

“The reconstruction of one of the dual carriages has been completed, however on the other side of the lane is yet to be done. As a result, both motorists heading either Onitsha to Awka and Enugu or vice versa are compelled to ply the completed lane, a development that has resulted in increased head-on crashes along that stretch.

“In retrospect, in June 2024 several people were killed in a crash involving 29 travellers. FRSC said no fewer than four persons lost their lives in the ghastly auto accident on the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha highway. Again on July 11, 2023, six were killed, 10 injured. The accident, which involved a petroleum tanker and a truck with a heavy load, resulted in many casualties.

“We can’t continue to let this happen. The Federal Government needs to take urgent action to address the deplorable condition of the road and prevent further loss of lives.”

The lawmaker then extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims families and Enugu State Government, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.