Motorists Lament State Of East-west Road

The flood ravaging the entire Niger Delta region has cut-off
the East/West Road, at Umeh junction, near Patani in Delta State.

Vehicles coming from Lagos and other parts of the country
into the region have been diverted to Asaba through Onitsha.

This situation has increased transport fares by over hundred
percent.

The Tide gathered that since Friday, some travelers have
been stranded and their vehicles submerged. Rising to the challenge, the
Bayelsa State Government has established three centres to resettle those who
were affected by the flood.

All the residents of Biseni, Okordia Zarama communities
which were submerged a week ago, have been evacuated to the Sports Complex in
Yenagoa, while those from Odi and Sagbama are moved to Kaiama.

Governor Seriake Dickson, who announced this during his
transparency briefing on Friday, said that in addition to this, a committee
headed by the deputy governor has been set up to work out modalities to cushion
the effects of the disaster.

The committee has commissioners for health, agriculture,
environment, education and the chairmen of the eight local government councils
of the state as members.

Dickson however, appealed to Federal Government to come to
the aid of the state, so that the sufferings of the people could be minimised.

Meanwhile, more communities in Ahoada West and Ogba/Egbema
Local Government Areas have fallen victims to the surging flood which so far
has no solution.

The oil towns of Obagi, Ogbogu, Oboburu, Akabuka have all
been submerged, while communities such as Itu-Ogba, Obiosimini, Akabta which
are situated along Sombeirero river are becoming apprehensive as the volume of
water in the river has also increased.

Consequently, transport business, especially from Port
Harcourt to Lagos is slowly grinding to a halt following the flooding which has
cut off parts of the Eas/West Road.

The Tide also learnt that, this situation has made going to
Lagos from Port Harcourt as well as coming to Port Harcourt difficult as
motorists now divert to the longer Owerri-Onitsha-Asaba-Benin Road.

A driver with Agofure Motors, Mr Solomon Uchabriye told The
Tide in Port Harcourt that a journey from Lagos to Port Harcourt now takes two
days.

Mr Uchabriye said that the situation is affecting their
business as most passengers now preffer air travels.

“It is very difficult coming and going to Lagos now. We left
Lagos 5.30am yesterday, but got to Port Harcourt this afternoon,” he said.

John Bibor