By Oghenefejiro Emado
03, January 2025
The Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing road safety over punitive sanctions in addressing the recurring incidents involving articulated trucks, particularly around the Ubu Bridge axis in Ogwashi-Uku along the newly constructed Ughelli–Asaba dual carriageway.
The government will implement decisive measures aimed at curbing the rising cases of accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles on the corridor, focusing on enhanced safety enforcement rather than restrictive or punitive measures.
Stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved speed control, and operational checks on articulated trucks plying the route will be implemented to prevent future accidents.
The government has called for collective action to prevent future accidents, appealing to professionals, road safety experts, and concerned citizens to offer practical, pro bono suggestions targeted at achieving zero accidents on the affected stretch.
The latest incident occurred on December 30, 2025, marking the 17th recorded accident involving articulated trucks on the Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba stretch since the road was completed.
The driver attributed the accident to mechanical failure, claiming that the truck’s gear selector failed to engage a lower gear while navigating the approach to the bridge.
Governor Oborevwori has consistently maintained that the state must avoid actions that could be perceived as restricting the free movement of goods and services, in line with global best practices.
The administration has prioritized improved compliance, driver discipline, and road safety measures over outright restrictions on the movement of heavy-duty vehicles.
The Ogwashi-Uku–Asaba corridor is a major transit link for articulated trucks travelling from the North, East, and South-West to Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom, and Calabar.
The road project has contributed to regional connectivity and has been commended for its quality, reflecting the administration’s commitment to people-centred governance.
