Motorists plying the Onitsha-Owerri Road in Onitsha, Anambra State, have lamented the worsening condition of the road, particularly deep and dangerous potholes that they say are forcing some drivers to veer into the opposite lane to avoid damaging their vehicles.
The motorists also accused officials of the Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) of taking advantage of the situation to arrest and fine drivers for alleged one-way traffic violations, rather than helping to manage the traffic situation around the failed portions of the road.
They appealed to the Anambra State Government, led by Governor Charles Soludo, to urgently rehabilitate the affected portions of the busy road, arguing that repairing the road would reduce traffic congestion, accidents and the circumstances that lead to one-way violations.
Some motorists who spoke with journalists, said the condition of some sections of the Onitsha-Owerri Road, particularly around the St. Francis/Okpoko bypass and areas opposite People’s Club along Owerri Road, has deteriorated to the point where some motorists have difficulty navigating their proper lane.
They alleged that instead of directing motorists away from the dangerous potholes or addressing the traffic challenges created by the failed sections of the road, ARTMA officials were concentrating on apprehending drivers who moved into the opposite lane just to collect money.
The motorists further alleged that some drivers were being handed fines as high as N300,000 for one-way violations, despite the road conditions that, according to them, contributed to the traffic manoeuvres.
One of the motorists, Mr. Obinna, who spoke to journalists, described his experience as a “double tragedy” having to navigate deep potholes while also facing a heavy fine from traffic enforcement officials.
Obinna, a commercial bus operator, narrated how his vehicle was intercepted by operatives of ARTMA among the hundreds of vehicles plying the route around the St. Francis/Okpoko bypass on the Owerri Road.
He said the vehicle was subsequently taken to the ARTMA office at Bridge Head, Onitsha, where it was accused of driving against traffic, commonly referred to as a “one-way” offence.
According to him, the agency initially imposed a fine of N300,000 before the vehicle could be released.
Obinna said he appealed to the agency’s authorities, insisting that the alleged violation was not deliberate but was a consequence of the deplorable condition of the road.
He pointed to the deep potholes opposite People’s Club on Owerri Road, which he said had become so severe that motorists were compelled to move temporarily into the opposite lane to avoid falling into the craters or damaging their vehicles.
“The potholes are so deep that vehicles are forced to swerve to the other side to avoid damaging their cars. That is how we found ourselves on the other lane,” he said.
“We respect the law and the work ARTMA is doing. But it is painful that we are being fined such a huge amount for an offence that was caused by the bad state of the road itself,” he said.
Obinna said that following an appeal to the leadership of the agency, the fine was eventually reviewed downward to N150,000, after which the vehicle was released.
He appealed to the Anambra State Government under Governor Charles Soludo and other relevant authorities to urgently repair the failed sections of the Onitsha-Owerri Road.
According to him, rehabilitating the road would not only ease the burden on motorists but would also help prevent accidents, traffic congestion and what he described as avoidable arrests arising from motorists’ attempts to navigate the pothole-ridden sections.
Similarly, a commercial driver operating along the route, Mr. Chima Nwako, called for urgent government intervention to rehabilitate the road.
Nwako said repairing the road would significantly reduce traffic congestion and the risk of accidents associated with motorists struggling to navigate the deteriorating portions.
Another driver and commuter, Mr. Ikegbu, who also spoke to our reporter, said the Owerri Road had remained in a bad state for months, forcing motorists to manoeuvre around deep potholes, sometimes by entering the opposite lane.
“We are not supporting one-way. But government should first fix that road. Every day, ARTMA is there catching people and collecting money, as if their purpose there is to make money for themselves and the government.
“The potholes along the road are causing a lot of panic and tension among commuters. It appears that the government has allowed the situation to continue because it generates revenue,” he alleged.
The motorist, however, acknowledged that driving against traffic remained a violation of traffic regulations but argued that enforcement should be accompanied by urgent intervention to address road conditions that contribute to dangerous manoeuvres.
He urged the government and traffic management authorities to consider a coordinated approach in which failed sections of the road are properly marked, traffic is effectively directed around impassable portions and motorists are adequately guided to prevent avoidable violations.
When contacted, the Managing Director of ARTMA, Mr. Emeka Okonkwo, alias Konti, he dismissed the motorists’ justification for the violation.
He said that the offence had been committed and that the offender was therefore required to pay the prescribed fine.
Okonkwo also warned motorists against driving against traffic, urging drivers to desist from one-way violations regardless of the condition of the road.
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