By Our Correspondent
Motorists plying the Enugu-Onitsha expressway can now heave a sigh of relief as the completed Awka – Nteje stretch of the expressway has finally been opened to traffic.
There had been frequent accidents along the road following the use of only one lane by motorists.
However, as the obstructions that were used to block the road at the Amawbia flyover in the Anambra State capital were removed to herald the opening yesterday, there was jubilation among motorists, who commended the federal government and MTN, which is funding the project, for ensuring seamless journey for Nigerians during this year’s Christmas period.
With the opening, vehicles would henceforth use both sides of the expressway up to Nteje in Oyi local government area, pending the final completion of the project from Enugu to Onitsha.
Coordinator of MTN Community Initiative, Dr. Reginald Facah said during the opening ceremony, that the Ninth mile end of the expressway in Enugu State would also be opened on Thursday to ensure free- flow of traffic from Enugu to Onitsha as part of measures to temporarily ease traffic in the South East geopolitical zone.
Facah said: “Today, we are gathered to temporarily open partial/completed sections of the dual carriageway, not because the entire project is ready, but because MTN has brought the human face to bear in her social responsibility.
“December and the Christmas season have seen unimaginable suffering on the parts of commuters and drivers on this same road.
“Indeed, very many people in the South East do not bother to do the end of year homecoming ritual because the deplorable state of the roads in the southeast has further exacerbated the security situation.
“However, with the opening of the Amawbia to Nteje junction section and the opening of the Amawbia flyover, as well as the opening of the 9th Mile stretch in Enugu State, an unparalleled driving experience is once-again here for human and vehicular traffic which are usually heavy during this period”.
He said that plans are also underway to clear the tall grasses and bushes beyond the road shoulders and drains for aesthetic and security reasons, adding that meetings had already been planned between the traditional rulers and Presidents General of communities along the project corridor with staff of the Ministries of Local Government in both Anambra and Enugu states, as well as officials of the MTN/Crown Crest Engineer Ltd Community Liaison Initiative team to draw up modalities for the bush clearing.
Senior Manager, Sales of MTN, Mr. Emmanuel Okereke commended the Minister of Works and governments of Anambra and Enugu states, as well as communities along the expressway for their support that ensured unhindered construction work.
“With continued support, we are confident that the road will be completed on schedule.
“Our commitment is to deliver an expressway that will be the pride of every Nigerian,” he said.
