KEY POINTS

• Heavy rainfall triggered severe erosion that cut off a section of the Oji–Awgu Federal Highway, disrupting movement between communities in Enugu State.
• Lawmakers, local government chairmen, and officials have called for urgent federal intervention to restore the damaged road.
• The Federal Ministry of Works blamed faulty drainage termination for the damage and promised swift action to address the situation.

A major section of the Oji–Awgu Federal Highway in Enugu State has been cut off by severe erosion following a heavy downpour, leaving motorists stranded and disrupting transportation between several communities in Oji River and Awgu Local Government Areas.

The rainfall, which began on Friday night, intensified through the early hours of Saturday, causing extensive damage to the road infrastructure. By Saturday morning, a critical portion of the highway had collapsed, effectively halting vehicular movement along the important corridor.

The road serves as a key transportation route for residents, traders, farmers, and commuters who rely on it for the movement of people and goods within the region.

Lawmaker Describes Situation as Alarming

Following the incident, the member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, led a delegation on an inspection tour of the affected area.

Speaking during the visit, Onwuegbu described the destruction as both unfortunate and deeply concerning. He noted that a substantial section of the federal road had been completely washed away by erosion caused by the torrential rainfall.

The federal lawmaker appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to classify the situation as an emergency and immediately commence reconstruction efforts.

According to him, urgent intervention is necessary to restore access to affected communities, reduce the hardship currently being experienced by residents, and prevent further deterioration of the road.

Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike, commended Onwuegbu for responding swiftly to the disaster.

He also praised the lawmaker for facilitating the visit of officials from the Federal Ministry of Works, particularly the Federal Controller of Works in Enugu State, to assess the extent of the damage firsthand.

Anyaegbudike urged continued engagement with the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja to secure the necessary approvals for emergency reconstruction works.

He stressed that restoring the highway should be treated as a priority given its economic and social importance to the affected communities.