Experts Strategise To End Crashes, Failures On Enugu-Onitsha Highway
No fewer than 19 persons died in 31 crashes at Immigration junction, Awka and Nteje axis of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway in Anambra between April 2025 and April 2026, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has said.
Sector Commander of FRSC in Anambra, C.C. Bridget Asekhauno made the disclosure at a one day summit on “Traffic and Security Management on Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Way” in Awka.
The summit was organised by the Anambra State Government and MTN/CCGE/CLI.
Asekhauno said there were 13 crashes at the Immigration junction, Awka involving 133 persons within the period out of which six died and 45 sustained injury.
While in the Nteje axis, a total of 18 crashes were recorded with 13 deaths and 61 persons injured.
“Particular attention should be given to Immigration Junction and the steep descent from the Old Government House Axis, where recurring brake-failure incidents involving articulated vehicles present a serious threat to road users,” she said.
The Sector Commander said the completion of the Anambra stretch of the dual carriageway had significantly improved vehicular movement, reduced travel time, enhanced commercial activities and increased accessibility along the route.
She however said the improved road condition had led to increased traffic, speeding, dangerous driving, route violation and emerging security concerns which required urgent recalibration of traffic, safety and security management strategies.
She pointed out that on the Amawbia-Amanses corridor, the absence of some critical road furniture could adversely affect traffic operations and road safety if not promptly addressed.
She there recommended the reinstallation of pedestrian barricades at strategic locations, enforcement of use of the existing pedestrian bridge, repainting all faded markings and construction of a pedestrian bridge at Regina Junction,” she said.
The one day seminar which drew participants from various stakeholders in the road transport sector was declared open and chaired by Ms Chiamaka Nnake, the Secretary to Anambra Government.
Meanwhile, road transport stakeholders at the event called for dismantling of static checkpoints on Enugu-Onitsha highway to save it from incessant collapse.
Dr Reginald Facah, Consultants to MTN said static traffic and security checkpoints should be eradicated and be replaced with mobile patrol where errants drivers were flagged off the road for proper check.
Facah said the road carried the heaviest traffic burden, heaviest crash crash rate, and greatest security exposure in the Southeast.
He said that conventional approaches to Traffic and security management on the entire stretch of the road had failed and commuters were suffering due to the damage.
“Our target is to reduce travel time to 1hr and ensure there was all year round free movement on the road,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Emeka Okpara, Federal Controller of Works in Anambra said his office had already notified the Naval Authority in the state to remove the road blocks as they were are interfering with our engineering work
Okpara appreciated the state government for its support while assuring that the Ministry would continue to work without compromising professionalism.
He frowned at the construction of speed breakers on highways, saying that they were dangerous and careless for roads that were designed for 120km speed.
Ms Chiamaka Nnake, Secretary to Anambra Government which declared the event open said the forum was important given to Anambra a unique traffic challenge as a result of rapid urbanisation, intense commercial activity and the influx of heavy-duty vehicles.
Nnake said gridlock causes delay in emergency response, increases accident risks, and creates opportunities for crime as well as increase cost of doing business, frustrate commuters, and reduce travel efficiency.
“We appreciate your commitment to addressing the critical challenges of traffic and security management on Anambra roads, particularly the Onitsha–Enugu dual carriageway.
“The Soludo administration’s commitment to eliminating traffic bottlenecks is evident in several completed and ongoing road dualisation projects,” she said.
