Residents, traders, pedestrians and motorists in Onitsha, Anambra State, have raised the alarm over the deteriorating condition of the Upper Iweka Sakamory along the Onitsha-Owerri Road bypass, warning that the failed drainage structure has become a death trap requiring immediate government intervention.
They cautioned that with the peak of the rainy season setting in, further collapse of the Sakamory could trigger severe flooding, claim lives, disrupt economic activities and cut off one of the busiest transport corridors in the South-East.
The Sakamory serves as a major drainage channel, collecting stormwater from Nkpor, Ezeiweka Road, Awada, Obosi and the Onitsha-Owerri Road before discharging it through the Ogbaru Main Market perimeter, Chisco Motor Park and Obiano Park into the River Niger.
Residents warned that a total collapse of the drainage system could leave several markets, motor parks and residential communities submerged, crippling the movement of people and goods between the South-East, South-West and Lagos.
Speaking with journalists at the site, a resident, Chief Malacy Egwuchukwu, described the situation as dangerous, warning that the Sakamory could cave in completely if urgent repairs were not carried out.
According to him, many road users now travel in fear, while traders operating beside the drainage channel risk their lives daily.
He appealed to the Anambra State Government to intervene urgently to protect traders and thousands of commuters who depend on the route for their daily livelihoods.
A truck driver, Mr. Ede Ezikel, who plies the Lagos-Owerri route, recounted how he narrowly escaped driving into the damaged section because his vehicle’s headlights enabled him to spot the danger.
“This is a death trap indeed. We drivers plying this road are under risk, especially at night during this rainy season. What we are saying is that the relevant authorities should alert the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to come and repair the Sakamory before it kills people,” he said.
Commercial tricycle operators, Mr. Alex Odili and Mr. Friday Ikonne, said the road is a vital transport link connecting travellers to Owerri, Aba, Lagos and other parts of the country.
“This road is very important to everybody—pedestrians, Okada operators and motorists. It concerns everyone. It is now worse than before, and we are raising this alarm before lives are lost. We are pleading with the relevant authorities to come to our aid.
“This road might consume people if care is not taken, but God forbid. That is why we are calling for help,” they said.
Two petty traders operating beside the drainage channel, Mrs. Augustina Umeoye and Mrs. Ugwu Margaret, said the Sakamory had become structurally weak and required complete reconstruction rather than another round of temporary repairs.
They noted that although one section had previously been repaired, the work was poorly executed, leading to further deterioration.
Other residents, including Nnaemeka Chris, Hon. Ezemobi Wisdom and Chief Nathan Igwebuike, also called attention to the deplorable condition of the Chisco Motor Park and Obiano Park axis, describing the entire area as hazardous to motorists and pedestrians.
With Onitsha regarded as the commercial hub of the South-East and a major contributor to both state and federal revenues, residents appealed to the Anambra State Government, the Ministry of Works, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to declare the Upper Iweka Sakamory an emergency site and immediately mobilise contractors for reconstruction.
They warned that any further delay could result in avoidable deaths, prolonged traffic gridlock and huge economic losses for traders, transporters and businesses operating in the area.
“We don’t want to wait until people die before government acts. This is a disaster waiting to happen,” one of the residents lamented.
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