Civil Servants In Anambra Complain About High Transportation Costs Due To Obiaja River Bridge

Commuter bus fares have increased for passengers travelling to and from Onitsha from Adazi, Oraukwu, Awka-Etiti, Nnewi, Nnobi, and Nnokwa in Anambra, adding to the country’s hardship.

Travellers reported that transportation costs to Onitsha and Nkpor from Nnobi and Nnewi have increased by more than 300%.

Travellers now pay N800 from Nnewi to Nkpor, compared to N600 earlier this year, and N1,700 from Nkpor to Nnewi and Nnobi, among other destinations in the area.

According to sources, the situation has caused civil and public servants in Nnobi, Nnewi, and Neni to start work late, negatively impacting economic production.

According to sources, commuters now have to travel from Onitsha to Nkpor, Ogidi, Abatete, and Alor before arriving at Nnobi and Nnewi for work.

Commuter bus drivers in Anambra have attributed the transportation fare hike to ongoing construction at the Obiaja River along the Nnobi-Uke-Ideani Road. They have to cross other roads, such as Alor, Abatete, and Ogidi, before reaching Nkpor from Nnobi and Nnewi, and vice versa.

Barrister Nwabueze Lawrence Emejulu of Wisdom Chambers, Onitsha, spoke to Daily Champion yesterday about his difficult journey to Nnobi Magistrate Court in the Idemili Magistral Division for a matter last Wednesday. He stated that it took him a long time to arrive and perform his duties.

“There was a long queue at the petrol station. I bought fuel worth ten thousand naira. I drove from Onitsha through Nkpor, Ogidi, Abatete, and Alor to reach Nnobi and the court to resolve my matter. The government should expedite work on the Obiaja River Bridge,” Barrister Emejulu said.

According to sources, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo should request that the contractor in charge of the Obiaja River project expedite work at the site.