Delta Prioritises Safety Measures Over Sanctions to Curb Truck Crashes on Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba Corridor

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed implementation of safety measures around the Ubu Bridge axis in Ogwashi-Uku along the newly constructed Ughelli–Asaba dual carriageway following rising cases of accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles on the corridor.

The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, disclosed this in a statement, on Saturday, affirming Oborevwori-led administration’s commitment to prioritising road safety over punitive sanctions in addressing the recurring incidents involving articulated trucks.

According to the Commissioner, the approach of the Oborevwori administration is anchored on enhanced safety enforcement rather than restrictive or punitive measures that could impede the free movement of goods and services.

He said planned interventions would include stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved speed control, and operational checks on articulated trucks plying the route.

Comrade Izeze further called for collective action to prevent future accidents, appealing to professionals, road safety experts, and concerned citizens to voluntarily offer practical, pro bono suggestions targeted at achieving zero accidents on the affected stretch.

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He stressed that the appeal was not for consultancy services but for genuine, public-spirited contributions aimed at safeguarding lives and preserving the integrity of the road infrastructure.

The Commissioner explained that the renewed safety push follows a spate of accidents involving articulated trucks on the corridor, which have heightened concerns among motorists and residents despite the road’s recent completion and its enhanced aesthetics.

He revealed that the latest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, marking the seventeenth recorded accident involving articulated trucks on the Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba stretch since the road was completed.

The incident occurred near the Ubu Bridge, a section known for its smooth pavement and modern drainage system designed to channel runoff from the surrounding Ogwashi-Uku hills into drains leading to the Ubu River.

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Eyewitness accounts indicated that the articulated truck lost control while approaching the bridge, tilting and partially obstructing the carriageway. Fortunately, no casualties were recorded.

The driver reportedly attributed the accident to mechanical failure, claiming that the truck’s gear selector failed to engage a lower gear while navigating the approach to the bridge.

He dismissed suggestions of fatigue, describing the incident as an act of destiny. However, the explanation has done little to assuage public concern, given the frequency of similar occurrences on the same stretch of road.

“Despite the installation of clearly visible warning signs and speed limit notices before and after the bridge on both approaches installed months ago at the directive of Governor Oborevwori, many articulated truck drivers continue to disregard traffic regulations.

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“Governor Oborevwori has consistently maintained that the state must avoid actions that could be perceived as restricting the free movement of goods and services, in line with global best practices.

“His administration has therefore prioritised improved compliance, driver discipline, and road safety measures over outright restrictions on the movement of heavy-duty vehicles.” Izeze added.

The Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba corridor has emerged as one of the busiest interstate routes in the South-South region, serving as a major transit link for articulated trucks travelling from the North, East, and South-West through Asaba and Ughelli to Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and Calabar.

This heavy traffic has placed considerable pressure on the road, even as the project continues to attract commendation for its quality and contribution to regional connectivity.

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Despite the incidents, residents have acknowledged the broader impact of Governor Oborevwori’s infrastructure drive, noting that the quality of the road reflects the administration’s commitment to people-centred governance.

As investigations into the latest accident continue, stakeholders have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver discipline, and sustained public awareness to ensure that the benefits of the road project are not undermined by avoidable mishaps.