By Olayinka Oyegbile
It was my first-ever trip to Bayelsa State since it was carved out of Rivers State. The most exciting aspect of it was that we travelled by road. Before the trip, I was reluctant to disclose this aspect to many because all what I was getting from the few that I told was words of discouragement. The “hoohs and haahs” were so cacophonous that it could discourage any lion-hearted person.
However, Akinbode Oluwafemi, a veteran and incorrigible road traveller whom I and two others were to go with, is a man who knows the roads and the corners like the back of his hand. On the appointed day, we set forth at dawn (apologies to our own WS). From the Lagos end because we set out early, we didn’t encounter the bad temper of the traffic.
Group uncovers plot to scuttle East/West Road project in Rivers State
I am also familiar with road travels. However, travelling to the South East or South South was not part of what I was familiar with, but ‘Bode is. Naturally, he should be the one behind the wheel. However, he ceded this to Victor Oluwafemi, but that was not to last long. Some of us prefer to drive ourselves no matter the distance. By the time we were approaching Ore or so, Bode decided to take over the wheel from Victor since he is much more familiar with the terrain and the shenanigans of the numerous legal and illegal roadblocks that dot that stretch of the road.
current state of East/West Road
By the time we left Ore, I understood why he had to take over the driving. This stretch of the road must be covered by someone who understands the environment. You can hardly move 100 metres without encountering these so-called security operatives in various shades and hues of uniforms. In fact, you will be left so confused you may not know whom to obey and who not to. They spread across the road various sizes and widths of planks to serve as speed breakers to slow vehicles down. Some can be as high as sending you to a mechanic to replace your car shock absorbers.
They demand various kinds of documents and gratifications, thus prolonging the trip. To be on those roads, you need an extra measure of patience or daring to beat them at their games of exploitation.
If you are wondering why prices of goods, including foodstuff, are climbing the rooftops, take a trip on this route. It is as if it is a crime to drive a bus or truck on this route: the number of uniformed officials and touts that would bombard you would also make you run crazy. They slam you with so many levies that you wonder where the money goes.
The plethora of ‘security’ outfits on this route has not in anyway assured many that it is still safe to travel by road. However, one thing that became clear to me was that the government needs to do a lot to restore the confidence of the populace in road travels. The business of those who sell things along the villages and rural communities have been killed by the insecurity of the last eight years. No driver wants to stop by the roadside to purchase anything for fear of kidnappers. Therefore, most of the villagers who sell their commodities to travellers have closed shop.
There is a need to revive this sector of the economy to make our rural farmers and fishermen bounce back. Olatunji Buhari was also on this trip.
However, I was thoroughly disappointed by the state of the fabled East-West Road. It was an anti-climax when we got to the road, and I asked Bode where we were. He let out a guffaw, knowing what I was trying to confirm. He said, “This is East-West Road.” My spirit sunk to an all-time low. How could this road be this bad and deplorable?
I remembered Fela, who once sang about “tying dem to a skate and shooting them”, that was how I felt. Whoever the people responsible for that deplorable state of the road in that part of the country deserves the treatment Fela sang about.
The Patani-Yenogoa portion is a shame.
More to come on this trip later.
…Dr. Oyegbile, is a journalist, a lecturer
Oyegbile
