Opinion
Traffic Jams In Port Harcourt City
Traffic congestion or jam is a major menace in most big cities in the world, especially cosmopolitan and densely populated cities like Tokyo, Japan; New York,, USA; Beijing, China; Lagos, Nigeria; among others.
Port Harcourt City, the capital of Rivers State and hub of oil and gas in sub-Saharan Africa, home to many industrial concerns and nationals is no exception. But how did it get to this stage and what sets or measures could be taken to curb this menace and improve on the situation.
As it is generally believed, every problem has a solutions. However, some schools of thought hold the view that traffic congestion or jam is an evident sign of under-development and lack of proper planning. Others view it as a part of the exigencies of population explosion occasioned by rural-urban drift and inadequate infrastructural facilities in such cities. You may wonder why advanced cities like Tokyo, New York, and Beijing should be experiencing traffic jams, especially at peak-period, rush hours in the mornings and during closing hours. Nowadays, it also includes break time and school closing hours.
Interestingly, these aforementioned cities have well laid out road networks, some having up to six or eight lane roads and computerized traffic management systems to effectively and efficiently control vehicular traffic. They have also been able to develop other modes of transport like rail, water, sub-way or tube, air etc. All these have gone a long way to reduce and check the incidence of traffic congestion in most of those countries. Be that it may, we in Nigeria, and especially in Port Harcourt, face a more peculiar case than those climes. For instance, you talk of the terrain, soil type, constant rainfall and the attendant problem of flooding for most part of the year which affects construction and maintenance of infrastructural facilities, particularly roads.
Having mentioned that, Nigeria as a country and all state governments, including Rivers State should take it as a matter of’ policy and urgency to develop other modes and means of transportation for its teeming population, especially taking into cognizance the World Health Organization’s (WHO) forecast of Nigeria hitting 269 million people in the next couple of decades, and of course, Port Harcourt having its own share of that number. Come to think of it, how will that population, with the influx of people coming into Port Harcourt, everyday be able to cope with existing facilities and infrastructure. Not to talk about the vehicular traffic congestion in the city, housing, schools, health care facilities etc. It is better not imagined.
Port Harcourt City centre boasts mainly of the popular, ever busy Aba Road, lkwerre Road, and perhaps, Azikiwe Road. Most of the other roads are smaller roads that join these main arterial roads. And on most working days, including weekends, these roads are almost grid-locked due to traffic congestions or jams particularly at Artillery, Airforce, Bori Camp, GRA and Waterlines Junction on the ever busy Aba Road. Then, of course, the Rumuola to Rumuokwuta Road right to the roundabout on Ikwerre Road down to Ikoku Junction. There is also the East-West Road at Rumuokoro and Rumuodara axis where part of the road is still under construction. And the Trans-Amadi through Trans Woji to Elelenwo.
Also, there is heavy vehicular traffic on the Old Aba Road and at Woji Road though the former has been expanded and rehabilitated by the Amaechi administration to take in more traffic and further ease traffic congestion. In addition to these are other road expansion and rehabilitation works being carried out by the present administration, which when completed, will go a long way in contributing to decongesting the flow of traffic in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
It is pertinent to note that Port Harcourt City was not always like this, not until the 1990’s and the turn of the millennium. There used to be free flow of vehicular traffic in the city centre and on most of the adjoining roads. Then, you could easily plan your movement and programme yourself if you want to meet up an appointment or go to work or dash out for a quick errand. But the situation now is a sharp contrast as you will need to leave your house, at least, an hour or more to be able to keep or make an appointment say from Rumukwurushi to Boro Park or from Mothercat bus stop to Mgbuoba or Choba. The list is inexhaustible.
However, this present Amaechi administration is trying to address and grapple with the situation head long by putting in place good plans and projects like the Greater Port Harcourt City project, which when fully operational, will help decongest the Port Harcourt City centre and take away pressure and heavy vehicular traffic from the city centre, thereby reducing the concentration of residents and people on the existing inadequate structures and facilities in Port Harcourt.
Furthermore, the light rail transport project under construction by this administration, that will run from old Port Harcourt Township-Azikiwe Road right to Eleme Junction will go a long way in helping to create other alternative modes of transportation. This will see many vehicles off the highways as individuals and families will patronize this means of transport instead of using their cars or taxis to various points and destinations. Other modes of transportation like the waterways should be explored by building jetties and acquiring bigger crafts like ferries or even hovercrafts to move commuters from say Choba to Onne or Rumuolumeni to Aggrey Road.
The state government could go into collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and run intra-city rail services to help move people and goods from one destination to the other within the city. There is also the need for traffic lights to be re-introduced or revived as this contributes a lot in curbing traffic congestion all over the world, and has worked even here. Since this contributes in reducing the man-hours of traffic wardens, they need to be increased so that they can effectively manage and control traffic both in the day and at night.
Moreover, road expansion, rehabilitation and construction should incorporate more ring roads and what this writer term correcting or link roads and more flyovers across the city centre. All these will go along way in effectively managing traffic flow and combating traffic congestion.
Ayooso, a public affairs analyst, resides in Port Harcourt.
Samson T. Ayooso
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
Do the Fulani herdsmen have an expansionists agenda, like their progenitor, Uthman Dan Fodio? Why are they everywhere even the remotest part of other areas in Nigeria harassing, maiming, raping and killing the owners of the land?”
In a swift reaction, The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) decried and strongly condemned the invasion by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In his denunciation, MOSOP President Fegalo Nsuke described the incident as very unfortunate and deeply troubling, warning against a recurrence of the violence experienced in Benue State. “The killing of yesterday is bad and very unfortunate. We are getting preliminary information about how the herders gained access to the farmland, and it appears some hoodlums may be collecting money and granting access illegally.”
He called on the Hausa community in Rivers State to intervene swiftly to prevent further attacks.
“We want the Hausa community in Rivers State to take urgent action to ensure these issues are resolved”.
But will such appeal and requests end the violent disposition of the Fulani herdsmen? It is not saying something new that the escalating threat and breach of peace across the country by the Fulani herdsmen or those suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, leaves much to be desired in a country that is bedevilled by multi-dimensional challenges and hydra-headed problems.
Some upland Local Government Areas of Rivers State, such as Etche, Omuma, Emohua, Ikwerre, Oyigbo, Abua, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, have severally recounted their ordeals, as herdsmen invaded farmlands, destroyed crops, raped female farmers and killed protestant residents.
Again the wanton destruction of lives and properties which no doubt has overwhelmed the Nigerian Police, makes the clamour for State Police, indispensable. The National Assembly should consider the amendment of the Constitution to allow States to have their Statutory policing agencies.
As insurgency has risen to an all time high in the country were killings has now grown to be a normal daily activity in some part of the nation it may not be safe to say that Nigeria still practices democracy.
Several massacres coming from the Boko Haram and the herdsmen amongst all other insurgencies which have led to the destruction of homes and killing, burning of communities especially in the northern part of the country. All these put together are result of the ethnic battles that are fought between the tribes of Nigeria and this can be witnessed in Benue State where herders and farmers have been in constant clashes for ages. They have experienced nothing but casualties and unrest.
In the month of June 13-14, the Yelwata attack at the Guma Local Government Area by suspected gunmen or herdsmen who stormed the houses of innocent IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) claiming the lives of families, both adults and children estimated to be 200 victims. They were all burnt alive by these unknown gunmen.
This has been recorded as one of the deadliest insurgencies that had happened in recent years. Some security personnel that were trying to fight the unknown gunmen also lost their lives.
Prior to the Yelewata attack, two days before the happening, similar conflict took place in Makurdi on June 11, 2025. 25 people were killed in the State. Even in Plateau State and the Southern Kaduna an attack also took place in the month of June.
All other states that make up the Middle Belt have been experiencing the farmers/herders clash for years now and it has persisted up till recent times, claiming lives of families and children, homes and lands, escalating in 2025 with coordinated assaults.
Various authorities and other villagers who fled for safety also blamed the herdsmen in the State for the attack that happened in Yelwata community.
Ehebha God’stime is an Intern with The Tide.