Motorists in Warri, the
commercial city of Delta State and its environs, have decried the deplorable condition of roads in the area, and appealed to the state government to repair them.
The motorists, who expressed their dissatisfaction in separate interviews with our correspondent in Warri said that the situation was affecting their lives negatively.
Mr Francis Ogbeni, Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Warri South unit, said the poor state of the road had forced commercial drivers in the area to incur additional costs.
Ogbeni said that many motorists now spent so much of their time and money in trying to repair their vehicles.
According to the NURTW scribe, the development has consequential effects on their incomes.
“Government should do something about the bad roads in Warri; the pain is getting too much for us to bear.
“Aside the cost of maintaining vehicles, the bad roads also hinder the free-flow of traffic, especially around the Hausa Quarters.
“The cost of maintaining vehicles is disheartening and some commercial drivers are now moving into tricycle riding,” Ogbeni said.
Another commercial driver, Mr Monday Anselm, said he repaired his vehicle at least twice in a week because of the bad roads.
“I have a family and we all depend on the money generated from my bus. So, if I don’t work, you can imagine the situation in my house.
“Part of the money I make is spent on repairing the vehicle weekly. I think it’s time government did something about it. We are suffering,” he said.
Also, Mr Tony Edema, a father of three, urged government to carry out some repairs on the failed portions.
“The high cost of fuel coupled with the cost of maintaining vehicle is affecting my income and my family.
“We cannot increase transport fares just because the roads are bad. So, I appeal to the state government to intervene,” he said.
On his part, Mr Henry Chuks also urged the state government to do some minor repairs on the bad spots now to mitigate their suffering.
“Roads in Warri have become a nightmare, I appeal to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration to kindly patch some of the bad spots this rainy season.
“This will help ease our pains while we wait for the dry season for them to carry out permanent repairs on the roads,’’ he said.
Some of the bad spots included the stretch from the Old NPA Gate to the New NPA Gate, Enerhen Junction, Ugbuwagwen Road, Urhobo College and Water Resources area.
Others are Esisi Road by Atuwase Primary School, Third Marine Gate through Walter Odili Road, McDermott Road, Okumagba Roundabout, among others.