Enugu denies reports of fatal inferno at Ugwu Onyeama, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

A statement issued by the spokesperson of the State Ministry of Transport on Thursday dismissed reports of a road crash resulting in an inferno that allegedly claimed over 50 lives at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway as totally false and misleading

The Enugu State Ministry of Transport has denied reports of a road crash resulting in an inferno that allegedly claimed over 50 lives at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, describing such reports as totally false and misleading.

A statement issued by the spokesperson of the ministry, Odumegwu Chinwendu, on Thursday maintained that images being passed off as Ugwu Onyeama do not depict any part of that axis by any stretch of the imagination.

“Our attention has been drawn to false and misleading reports currently circulating on some online platforms alleging that a fatal inferno occurred at the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, claiming over 50 lives.

“We wish to categorically state that this report is entirely incorrect and does not reflect the current reality on the Ugwu Onyeama corridor.

“Traffic is flowing freely on both sides of the expressway, with normal vehicular movement observed along the axis.

“It is important to note that the image circulating alongside the false report does not depict the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway. The image shows silhouettes and clusters of residential buildings along the roadway, a feature that does not exist on the actual Ugwu Onyeama axis, where there are no such residential structures directly adjoining the corridor,” the spokesperson stated.

The statement added that while the Ugwu Onyeama area was notorious for road carnages that had unfortunately claimed many lives, the infrastructural intervention of the President Bola Tinubu administration has considerably improved road safety and vehicular movement in the area.

“Ugwu Onyeama has historically been one of the most dangerous sections of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway and, for decades, was sadly associated with numerous fatal accidents that claimed many lives due to the deteriorated condition of the road. For years, commuters, transport operators, and residents expressed deep concerns over the safety risks posed by the corridor.

“However, the completion of significant sections of the Enugu–Onitsha carriageway, using durable concrete technology, as well as the ongoing works on the opposite lane, has already brought major relief to commuters and has significantly improved safety, driving conditions, and traffic flow on the axis.

“In addition, coordinated traffic control and safety patrol operations involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Enugu State Ministry of Transport have remained consistently active on the axis.

“These joint interventions have contributed greatly to the significant reduction in accidents recorded on the corridor over the past several months.

“With the progressive opening and use of the reconstructed carriageways, especially the opposite lane, it is expected that dangerous practices such as one-way driving and wrongful overtaking, which previously contributed to accidents on the route, will decrease significantly,” the statement added.

The Ministry, therefore, appealed to the public and road users to “disregard the false reports currently in circulation and to continue to cooperate with traffic and safety authorities by adhering to speed regulations and using the designated lanes responsibly.”