Farmers, traders and motorists in parts of Delta State are facing growing hardship as the badly damaged Asaba-Ugbolu-Illah-Ebu federal highway becomes increasingly difficult to use during the peak of the rainy season.
The major road, located in Oshimili North Local Government Area, connects several agricultural communities to Asaba, Onitsha and routes leading to Edo, Kogi and northern Nigeria. Its worsening condition is threatening the movement of food, goods and people across the region.
Deep gullies, large potholes, muddy sections and failed portions of the road have turned the important transport corridor into a major obstacle for residents and commercial operators.
Heavy-duty trucks are reportedly struggling to navigate the route, with some vehicles breaking down or overturning. Their presence has also contributed to worsening congestion, making it increasingly difficult for smaller vehicles and motorcycles to pass.
Transport operators say the crisis has significantly increased the cost of travelling through the area. A journey that once cost around N1,000 can now cost as much as N5,000, while some drivers have abandoned the route because of the risks and rising cost of vehicle repairs.
Farmers are bearing much of the burden.
Communities along the corridor depend heavily on agriculture, producing yam, cassava, maize, plantain and potatoes. These products must be transported to markets in Asaba, Ugbolu, Onitsha and other commercial centres.
With the road deteriorating, farmers are finding it increasingly difficult to get their harvests to buyers. Produce that should generate income for rural families risks being left on farms until it deteriorates.
Andrew Onlaye, an indigene of Illah, said the condition of the road had made it difficult for farmers in neighbouring communities to transport their agricultural products to markets.
The crisis has also become a major road-safety concern.
Residents say accidents involving heavy trucks and motorcycles have resulted in deaths and serious injuries. Onlaye alleged that several people had lost their lives in crashes involving trailers and motorcycles, while others had been injured or left permanently disabled.
The dangers extend beyond accidents.
When vehicles become stranded or break down along isolated sections of the road, travellers may also become vulnerable to criminal attacks. Residents fear that the difficult terrain and reduced movement could provide opportunities for armed robbers and other criminals.
There are also concerns about the possible impact on future elections.
Nathan Oswe, another road user, warned that continued deterioration could make some communities difficult to access during election periods. He expressed concern that electoral officials and materials might struggle to reach affected areas if the road remains in its current condition.
Residents have called on both the Federal Government and Delta State Government to intervene urgently, asking for immediate palliative repairs while a permanent reconstruction plan is developed.
They argue that even temporary repairs would help restore movement, reduce transportation costs and allow farmers to move their produce to markets.
A former Controller of the Federal Ministry of Works in Delta State, Matthew Ogar, said efforts were being made to address the situation, adding that the road was under design.
For residents, however, the need is immediate.
Every additional day of neglect increases transportation costs, threatens farmers’ incomes and exposes motorists to greater danger. The road is not merely a route between communities; it is an important economic link connecting rural producers to major markets.
Its continued deterioration therefore has implications beyond Delta State, potentially affecting food distribution, rural livelihoods, trade and regional connectivity.
As the rainy season intensifies, residents are urging the authorities to act before the road becomes completely impassable and cuts off the communities that depend on it.
