Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has reiterated his administration’s resolve to prioritise road safety measures rather than punitive sanctions in tackling the recurring accidents involving articulated trucks, particularly along the Ubu Bridge axis in Ogwashi-Uku on the newly constructed Ughelli–Asaba dual carriageway.
The State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, made this known in a statement on Wednesday, stressing that the state government would deploy firm and proactive safety measures to curb the rising incidents involving heavy-duty vehicles on the corridor.
According to Izeze, the Oborevwori administration’s strategy is focused on enhanced safety enforcement and compliance, rather than restrictive actions that could hamper the free flow of goods and services.
He said planned interventions include stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved speed control mechanisms, and routine operational checks on articulated trucks using the route.
The Commissioner also called for collective responsibility in preventing future accidents, urging professionals, road safety experts, and concerned members of the public to offer practical, pro bono solutions aimed at achieving zero accidents on the affected stretch.
He clarified that the appeal was not for paid consultancy services, but for sincere, public-spirited contributions geared towards saving lives and protecting the integrity of the road infrastructure.
Izeze explained that the renewed safety drive follows a series of accidents involving articulated trucks on the corridor, which have raised concern among motorists and residents, despite the road’s recent completion and modern design.
He disclosed that the latest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, December 30, 2025, marking the 17th recorded accident involving articulated trucks on the Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba stretch since the road was completed.
The accident occurred near the Ubu Bridge, an area characterised by smooth pavement and a modern drainage system designed to channel runoff from the Ogwashi-Uku hills into drains leading to 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 the incident on mechanical failure, claiming the truck’s gear selector failed to engage a lower gear while navigating the bridge approach. He dismissed suggestions of fatigue, describing the incident as an act of destiny. However, the explanation has done little to ease public concern given the frequency of similar accidents on the same stretch.
Izeze noted that despite the installation of 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 emphasised that Governor Oborevwori has consistently maintained that Delta State must avoid measures that could be interpreted as restricting the free movement of goods and services, in line with global best practices.
“His administration has therefore prioritised improved compliance, driver discipline, and enhanced road safety measures over outright restrictions on the movement of heavy-duty vehicles,” the Commissioner said.
The Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba corridor has become one of the busiest interstate routes in the South-South region, serving as a major transit link for articulated 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 has placed significant pressure on the road, the project has continued to receive commendation for its quality and contribution to regional connectivity.
Despite the reported incidents, 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 governance.
As investigations into the latest accident continue, stakeholders have renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, improved driver discipline, and sustained public awareness to ensure that the benefits of the road project are not undermined by avoidable mishaps.