Commuters were left stranded on Thursday after three days of heavy rainfall flooded parts of the Agbarho/Ughelli Road in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, cutting off sections of the busy route.
The worst-hit spot is near the Agbarho Police Station, where the water has made the road nearly impassable.
Several vehicles heading to Ughelli from Effurun and Agbarho were forced to take detours after the rising water cut off half of the road.
A commuter, Francis Sadhere, said the water was deep and getting through was extremely difficult.
“We were stranded. The depth of the water was much, and the difficulty of getting through was not an easy one,” he said.
Another road user, who gave his name only as Tony, appealed to the authorities to address the flooding urgently and improve drainage along the affected stretch.
When our reporter visited, the cut-off section was still impassable, although vehicles had begun moving slowly through the flooded part.
The flooding has also raised concerns over the state of the road and its drainage, especially as more rain could worsen the situation.
Residents and commuters urged the Delta State Government, the Federal Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to drain the affected areas and repair the road. They warned that prolonged flooding could further disrupt transport and economic activities along the route.
Residents urge Julius Berger to fix alternative roads
In a related development, commuters and residents in Ughelli have called on Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to urgently maintain and improve alternative roads around Otovwodo, where traffic congestion continues to worsen.
Residents said the construction of the Otovwodo flyover, which is ongoing, has pushed more vehicles onto the Otovwodo axis. Journeys that should be short now stretch into long, tiring trips, especially during peak periods and at weekends.
Commercial drivers complained of frequent vehicle damage and higher fuel consumption, while passengers said the delays were affecting their work and businesses.
Bernard Ewofurama, a commuter, said the situation was becoming increasingly frustrating.
“The traffic is getting worse, especially during weekends. If the alternative roads are properly maintained, it will make vehicle movements easier and reduce the suffering,” he said.
Another resident, Choice Grandball, said motorists were not asking for much.
“We are not asking for anything extraordinary. If the deplorable points in the alternative roads are maintained and kept in good condition, motorists will not suffer that much. That will reduce the pressure and make movement easier for everyone,” he said.
Mrs. Faith Iguruwe commended the state government for awarding the flyover project but said Julius Berger must put the alternative roads in good condition.
“Otherwise, that is negligence,” she said. “On Saturday, we suffered so much that people trekking were held up in traffic. People spent more than two hours before they could get home, because the entering points of roads are destroyed. Please, Julius Berger should immediately come and fix them because the suffering is getting too much.”
Residents said maintaining the alternative roads while the flyover is under construction would give immediate relief. They also called for better drainage, clearing of roadside obstructions and regular monitoring of the routes. Poor conditions, they said, have made motorists reluctant to use the alternatives.
They urged the relevant government agencies and community stakeholders to work together on a sustainable traffic-management plan for the area, adding that maintenance should not wait until the roads become completely impassable. Routine grading, drainage maintenance, repairs and removal of obstructions, they said, should keep the routes functional.
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