FENRAD pushes for swift solutions to Waterside–Ogbor Hill congestion in Aba

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD), expressed grave concern over the persistent and tragic loss of lives resulting from recurring road traffic accidents along the Waterside–Ogbor Hill axis of Aba, Abia State.

According to the Executive Director, FENRAD, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the corridor remained one of the most accident-prone areas in the state, with frequent incidents involving heavy vehicular congestion, uncontrolled traffic movement, pedestrian exposure, and poor road safety infrastructure.

“These recurring accidents have led to avoidable deaths, serious injuries, and destruction of livelihoods, raising serious human rights and public safety concerns,” he stressed.

FENRAD observed that the Waterside–Ogbor Hill axis serves as a major commercial and transportation hub, experiencing heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic daily.

“The absence of modern traffic engineering solutions—such as flyovers, overhead pedestrian bridges, and effective traffic flow systems—has significantly worsened congestion and increased the risk of fatal accidents.

“In view of this, FENRAD calls on the Abia State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alex Chioma Otti, to urgently prioritize the provision of critical infrastructure, including the construction of flyovers and pedestrian (overhead) bridges, as well as comprehensive road redesigns to effectively separate vehicular and human traffic.

“These interventions are necessary to improve vehicle traffic movement, reduce congestion, and eliminate dangerous conflict points along the corridor,” he emphasized.

The organization further urged the government to commission an independent traffic, environmental, and social impact assessment to guide sustainable solutions.

Complementary measures should include modern traffic control systems, proper signage, speed-calming mechanisms, strict enforcement of road safety regulations, and public sensitization.

FENRAD further emphasized that infrastructure development must be proactive, inclusive, and people-centered.

“The right to life, safety, and a secure environment is fundamental, and no community should continue to endure preventable deaths due to inadequate planning or delayed government response.

“Road safety is a human rights issue. When citizens repeatedly lose their lives due to poor traffic management and unsafe infrastructure, urgent corrective action becomes a moral and constitutional obligation

The organization calls on relevant ministries, road safety agencies, urban planners, and traffic management authorities to collaborate transparently and act without delay.

FENRAD also encouraged civil society organizations, community leaders, and the media to sustain advocacy efforts toward lasting and life-saving solutions.

FENRAD remained steadfast in its commitment to environmental justice, sustainable development, and the protection of human rights and will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure that residents of Aba and Abia State enjoy safe, efficient, and humane transportation infrastructure.
Signed: