EVERY ROAD IN ABIA STATE IS A DISASTER, WORST THAN HELL

By Nwabunwanne David (Abia writers)

Edited by Solomon Elughaiwe

Abia is a state in Biafra land at the Southeastern part of Nigeria. Umuahia is the capital city while Aba, which was formerly a British colonial government outpost in the region, is the principal commercial city. Abia state was created on 27th August 1991 from Imo State. It is also one of the most populated areas in Nigeria that is occupying about 6,320km square geographical location. It has only two official notable languages, which are English and IBO.

It is unfathomable that at this 21st century, coupled with the flamboyant and sound economic yield of Abia state, the condition and networks of the roads are in such a sorry state that cannot be compared with any place in the world. It may sound incredible and unbelievable that every road, even the major streets are packed side by side with dust bins and dirt, discouraging pedestrians, not to mention the travesty of the Car owners and several ordeals people pass through on the roads in Abia State. The roads condition in Abia state is a complete disaster and insurmountable weapon of mass destruction to every friend and the aliens that may hope to use the roads at any time. 

Abia state multiple thousands of kilometre network of roads has deteriorated over the years and now poses a grave danger to motorists, Cyclists and even pedestrians. Bad roads are now one of the significant causes of road disasters and deaths in Nigeria, most notably in Abia State. It was complete mayhem on the Abia-Port Harcourt road, as motorists meandered through large portions of a crumbled main arterial highway full of Dustbin, amidst shouting and arguments over the right of way. As many had said, motorists and pedestrians have become more vulnerable than any other.

Many times, for hours Cyclists called the Okada, and the Tricycles known as Keke will be moving round and round just for easy passage, for a distance that wouldn’t take thirty minutes because of bad spots, most especially during the rainy season. Without mincing words, Abia roads have created several opportunities for robbers to rob because as people slow down at the bad spots, the robbers use the opportunity to rob their victims. Most strategic roads have been abandoned due to non-motorabililty; the loneliness on these roads makes armed robbers flourish.

Nigerian roads, most notably, the roads in Abia state are crumbling faster than they can be fixed. The worse stage roads are in steady deterioration, the quicker cars and trucks also deteriorate, driving up maintenance, and repair costs increases in a progressive manner, that one may not be able to carry. It is a financial burden for vehicle owners who are forced to replace tires and pay for other repairs. 

Drivers trying to avoid potholes and dilapidated portions of the roads end up putting other people’s lives at risk. Some months ago, 80 people died when an oil tanker exploded and caught fire in the southeastern part of Nigeria, and it was shamelessly reported that this crash happened while trying to avoid potholes. Five passenger buses were involved in the accident. That made truck drivers threaten, “we will withdraw our vehicles if the government fails to fix the roads in the next few months”. Hundreds of premature deaths occur unrecorded per year in Abia roads.

Bad roads are considered one of the leading causes of road accidents. Accidents in the streets and business stagnation are most peculiar to bad roads that are scattered all over Biafra land, most notably in Aba. The bad roads in Aba have affected and continually slow business transactions in many markets mostly Ariaria, the international business hub of Abia state. Ariaria market is an international market that attracts business Men and Woman from all over Africa, most especially West African region, which had been hampered because of inaccessibility, frustration and difficulties posed by bad roads all over Biafra land, most notably in Abia state. Ariaria international market is a complete decorated lace upon the neck of Abia State and must not be toiled with. 

What is this Ariaria market all about?

The Ariaria International Market is a transactional centre and outdoors showcase situated in Aba, a city in Abia State Southeastern part of Nigeria. Ariaria market has been advertised as one of the biggest markets in West Africa, nicknamed “China of Africa” as a result of its leadership in the production of wears and calfskin works. Ariaria International Market was built in 1976 after a fire flare-up that destroyed the old Ekeoha Market in Aba. The market was initially sited in a swampy area was later upgraded to cut across three government zones, which are; the Aba North, Aba South and Osisioma. It is the greatest market in this city, creating jobs and economic prowess to the people of eastern Nigeria called Biafra. This issue of bad roads has persisted; the government of Okezie Ikpeazu is not helping matters at all; the situation has gotten worse because this government does not care about the people of Abia state. 

Our only hope remains on Biafra restoration.