The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has issued an urgent appeal to the Abia State government to address the rising toll of fatal accidents at the Waterside–Ogbor Hill axis in Aba.
The human rights group described the corridor as one of the most dangerous zones in the state, citing a lack of modern traffic engineering and poor safety infrastructure as the primary causes of frequent loss of life and property.
In a statement released on Monday, FENRAD urged Governor Alex Otti to prioritize the construction of flyovers and pedestrian overhead bridges to separate heavy vehicular movement from human traffic. The group noted that the area serves as a critical commercial hub, yet currently lacks the necessary systems to manage the intense daily congestion.
Beyond physical construction, the organization is calling for an independent social and environmental impact assessment to guide long-term urban planning. They also recommended the immediate installation of modern signage, speed-calming mechanisms, and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations by state agencies.
Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the Executive Director of FENRAD, stated that the current situation has reached a point where government intervention is no longer just a matter of urban planning, but a fundamental necessity for public safety.
“Road safety is a human rights issue. When citizens repeatedly lose their lives due to poor traffic management and unsafe infrastructure, urgent corrective action becomes a moral and constitutional obligation,” Nwafor said.
The foundation further called on the Ministry of Works and relevant road safety authorities to collaborate on a transparent redesign of the area to ensure a more humane and efficient transportation system for the residents of Aba.
