By Cajetan Mmuta
Hundreds of travelers along the ever-busy Onitsha—Owerri Expressway in Anambra State are now await providence even as motorists face obvious danger playing the vital route in the night hours.
This is because the expressway is cut into two with a very deep opening at the Oraifite community in Ekwusigo local government area following a full erosion after a heavy downpour on Monday night.
Sadly, a long articulated vehicle laden with petroleum product rammed to the wife and deep gully at the NIMET office complex along the road.
The tanker vehicle was cruising on the road when it suddenly fell into the caved-in portion of the road, spilling some of its contents on the way.
State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi who confirmed the ugly situation said the trapped tanker is undergoing trans-loading, while the remaining portion of the road has been closed completely to avoid loss of life.
He advised motorists and other road users to take alternative routes, including Obosi road, assuring that officers and men of the Corps were on the ground to control traffic.
2 dead, 4 injured in Abuja gas tanker crash
He said, “RS 5.3 Sector Command is in receipt of a report of a failed section of Onitsha-Owerri expressway around NIMET office completely cut off.
“The road failure was reportedly caused by heavy erosion which has eaten deep into the express way.
“The FMWH has been contacted and a construction company has been mobilized to carry out repairs immediately.
“Unfortunately for the tanker laden with diesel, the road caved in while passing. The tanker is presently trapped and undergoing transloading.
