ABUJA/Nigeria: The Igbo Community Association (ICA), Federal Capital Territory, has called for urgent rehabilitation of federal highways connecting the South-East with other parts of Nigeria ahead of the 2026 Yuletide travel period.
The call was contained in a statement jointly signed by the President-General of ICA FCT, Engr. (Nze) Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and its Secretary-General, Mazi Chinwoke Emmanuel Onah, who said the condition of several major routes serving the region had become a serious concern for motorists and travellers.
The association said prolonged deterioration of the roads had resulted in traffic congestion, vehicle breakdowns and increased risks for commuters using the major corridors linking the South-East with the South-West, North-Central and South-South regions.
It identified the Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor as one of the routes requiring urgent attention, describing it as an important link between the South-West and South-East.
According to the association, public concern over the condition of the route recently prompted Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to inspect some of the affected sections after motorists were reportedly stranded by the deteriorating road conditions.
The ICA acknowledged the minister’s intervention but argued that the situation should prompt a broader review of the condition of federal roads leading into the South-East rather than be treated as an isolated problem.
It said government intervention should be proactive, particularly on major transportation corridors that experience increased traffic during festive periods.
With the Yuletide approaching, the association urged the Federal Ministry of Works to accelerate rehabilitation of critical federal highways before the expected increase in inter-state movement.
The group said functional roads were necessary not only for the movement of people and goods but also for reducing the exposure of travellers to avoidable road accidents, prolonged journeys and other risks.
The ICA also appealed to the Federal Government to consider what it described as greater fairness and equity in the distribution of national infrastructure projects.
It maintained that residents and communities in the South-East were entitled to safe and functional federal roads like other parts of the country.
The association said the state of the roads also had implications for economic activity, particularly during the festive period when large numbers of people travel between the South-East and other regions.
It urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies to sustain attention on the affected corridors beyond temporary interventions and pursue lasting rehabilitation where necessary.
The ICA said it would continue to advocate infrastructure development that improves the welfare of Nigerians while representing the interests of Igbo residents in the Federal Capital Territory.
