Awka – A diesel tanker was on Tuesday, trapped in a failed portion of the Onitsha-Owerri expressway in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra state.
The road failure was reportedly caused by heavy erosion which has eaten deep into the expressway.
The tanker was said to be passing through the route when it suddenly fell into the caved-in portion of the road, spilling some of its contents on the way.
Confirming the incident, State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi said the trapped tanker is undergoing trans-loading, while remaining portion of the road has been closed completely to avoid loss of life.
He advised motorists and other road users to take alternative routes, including Obosi road, assuring that officers and men of the Corps were on ground to control traffic.
“RS 5.3 Sector Command is in receipt of a report of a failed section of Onitsha-Owerri expressway around NIMET office completely cut off.
“The road failure was reportedly caused by heavy erosion which has eaten deep into the express way.
“The FMWH has been contacted and a construction company has been mobilized to carry out repairs immediately.
“Unfortunately for the tanker laden with diesel, the road caved-in while passing. The tanker is presently trapped and undergoing transloading,” he said.
Meanwhile, some commuters on the raod have berated the Federal Government, the State Government and the Federal Legislators for their failure to address the challenge before it became worse.
A motorist, Tochukwu Ifeorah regretted that the federal and the state governments are trading blames as to who should undertake the project while the people suffer untold hardship as a result of the failed road.
“Lives have been lost on this road and also vehicles. Now we have to go to the mechanic almost on a daily basis, to ensure our vehicles are fit to ply the roads. Of a truth, the government ia not being sincere,” he lamented.
