By Unue Emeka,
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed his administration’s preference for proactive road safety measures over punitive sanctions in tackling the recurring crashes involving articulated trucks, particularly around the Ubu Bridge axis of the Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba stretch of the Ughelli–Asaba dual carriageway.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the government is set to roll out decisive safety-focused interventions to stem the rising number of accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles on the corridor.
According to Izeze, the Oborevwori administration’s strategy is anchored on strengthened safety enforcement rather than outright restrictions that could hinder the free flow of goods and services. Planned measures include stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, enhanced speed control, and comprehensive operational checks on articulated trucks using the route.
The Commissioner called for collective responsibility in addressing the challenge, urging road safety professionals, experts, and concerned citizens to voluntarily offer practical, pro bono suggestions aimed at achieving zero accidents on the affected stretch. He stressed that the appeal was not for consultancy services but for genuine, public-spirited contributions to safeguard lives and protect public infrastructure.
Izeze said the renewed safety drive follows a disturbing pattern of crashes involving articulated trucks on the corridor, which has continued to raise concerns among motorists and residents despite the road’s recent completion and modern design. He revealed that the latest incident, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, marked the seventeenth recorded truck accident on the Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba stretch since the road was completed.
The accident occurred near the Ubu Bridge, a section noted for its smooth pavement and engineered drainage system designed to channel runoff from the surrounding Ogwashi-Uku hills into the Ubu River. Eyewitnesses said the truck lost control while approaching the bridge, tilted, and partially blocked the carriageway. No casualties were recorded.
The driver reportedly blamed mechanical failure, claiming the gear selector failed to engage a lower gear while approaching the bridge. He dismissed fatigue as a factor, describing the incident as an act of destiny. However, the explanation has done little to calm public anxiety, given the frequency of similar crashes at the same location.
Izeze noted that despite the installation of clearly visible warning signs and speed limit notices before and after the bridge—installed months ago at the directive of Governor Oborevwori—many articulated truck drivers continue to flout traffic regulations.
He reiterated that the governor has consistently maintained that Delta State must avoid measures that could be interpreted as restricting interstate commerce, in line with global best practices. As a result, the administration has prioritised driver discipline, compliance, and safety enforcement over blanket bans on the movement of heavy-duty vehicles.
The Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba corridor remains one of the busiest interstate routes in the South-South, serving as a major transit link for trucks travelling from the North, East, and South-West through Asaba and Ughelli to Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and Calabar. While the heavy traffic continues to place pressure on the road, the project has earned commendation for its quality and contribution to regional connectivity.
Despite the spate of accidents, 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 development. As investigations into the latest crash continue, stakeholders have renewed calls for stricter enforcement, improved driver discipline, and sustained public awareness to prevent avoidable mishaps on the vital corridor.
