UDU ROAD TRAFFIC JAM: THE NEED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN

UDU ROAD TRAFFIC JAM: THE NEED TO AVOID ACCIDENTS-WAITING-TO-HAPPEN

-By Zik Gbemre

In the interest of us to prevent unfortunate accidents that would lead to the loss of lives, we strongly urge Gov Sheriff Oborevwori and  Vincent Oyibode, Chairman Udu Local Government Council, to promptly take steps towards ensuring a free-flow of traffic, especially at busy hours of the day and evening, along the roads to/around the popular Jigbale Market on Udu Road to Urhuwhorun Roundabout Junction, and to DSC Express Junction, and also Ubogo Market Junction in Udu Road.

This urgent and important request is hinged on the fact that the above stated Roads/Junctions around the above stated Markets have become “death-traps of accidents-waiting-to-happen,” for  motorists, road users and traders. This is because, right from the middle section of the stated roads/junctions in question, we observe how virtually all the traders bring their wares/goods/commodities to sell – right along the middle section of/around the roads/junctions stated. 

This is a very unsafe situation which has a high degree propensity for a serious action to happen – if for instance (God forbids), a tanker, lorry, trailer, truck or any vehicle should loose control as a result of failed brakes or any other human-induced factor. We can only imagine the terrible accident that would happen and the number of lives that would be lost if this happens along the said stated roads/junctions that have been taken over by these traders. 

It is the responsibility of the Delta State Government and Udu Local Government Council to take immediate drastic measures/actions to ensure that these stated roads/junctions are open and free for traffic at all times of the day and evening, especially in the Morning and Evening hours (at least up to 8pm) when the traffic are usually busiest. There is urgent need for the said traders in these stated Markets to be directed and even forced to take their wares/goods/commodities into their Markets that was built for them, rather than crowd around and along the middle section of the roads/junctions. 

We also urge that the Government’s order/directive in this regard, should include the stoppage of vehicles of all kinds and Commercial Tricycles (Keke) to park along and around the stated roads/junctions of the said Markets. There is need for ‘Law and Order’ to be enforced by the relevant Government authorities so as to ensure we have a decent society.

What we are asking for is the same thing that was done along the ever-busy Japka Junction by the Uvwie Local Government Council Chairman, who had succeeded in enforcing law and order to make Jakpa Junction to be free for traffic movements at all times.

Prevention is always better in situations like these. There is urgent need for prompt steps to be taken by authorities concerned to address the above observed situation on Udu Roads to avoid and prevent accidents that would lead to the loss of lives. Presently, all the road junctions and the entire Udu Roads in Udu Local Government Area have been overtaken/crowded with traders selling their goods in the middle and around the roads – preventing and obstructing free-flow of traffic. We should not wait for terrible things to happen (which can be avoided), before we act fast. 

We urge Gov Oborevwori and LG Chairman Vincent Oyibode to take this issue very seriously and promptly take steps towards addressing it as advised.

Zik Gbemre
July 26, 2025

We Mobilize Others to Fight for Individual Causes as if Those Were Our Causes