FRSC Logo.
MTN Nigeria, in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps, will open parts of the not-yet-finished Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Way in Amawbia, Anambra State, for a short period before the holiday season. The road connects Anambra and other states in the South-East and is said to be funded by MTN.
The road was opened to help travelers from the South-East during the Christmas season, explained Dr. Reginald Facah, the Coordinator of the MTN Community Liaison Initiative, at a press briefing in Amawbia, near Awka, Anambra State.
Facah noted that the holiday season has led to a high number of vehicles on the Onitsha Road, causing traffic jams. The decision to open the road temporarily is aimed at reducing congestion and ensuring a smoother journey for travelers.
He said, “Today, we are gathered to temporarily open the partially completed sections of the Enugu-Onitsha Dual Carriage Way, not because the entire project is ready, but because December and Christmas have seen unimaginable suffering on the parts of commuters and drivers on this same road.
“However, with today’s opening of the Amawbia section and the opening of Amawbia flyover, an untrammeled driving experience is once again here for human and vehicular traffic which are usually heat during this period.”
Senior Manager Sales at MTN, Emmanuel Okereke, expressed the organization’s enthusiasm for collaborating with the Federal Government on a road infrastructure tax credit scheme. This partnership aims to complete the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
According to Okereke, “This road does not only connect Enugu and Anambra states; it is a gateway to the rest of the country and Africa. Our commitment is to deliver an expressway that will be the pride of the South-East people and Nigerians in general.”
In his statement, Adeoye Irelewuyi, the Sector Commander of FRSC in Anambra State, mentioned, “At festive periods like this, this section of the road always experienced very serious traffic jam at the slightest obstruction to traffic flow usually causes a pile-up in both directions.
“It is therefore with great joy and relief that the Anambra State Command of the FRSC is marking this occasion of the temporary opening of this section.
“We surely believe that it will ease the traffic jam usually experienced at the Amawbia flyover and underpass, as well as reduce road traffic crashes on the stretch.
The Sector Commander encouraged all travelers, including the state’s residents, to remain patient on the roads during and after the holiday season.
Patricia Igwebuike, the Commissioner for Transportation in Anambra State, had previously commended MTN for their swift response and advised drivers to exercise caution, especially during the Yuletide period.