EBU, DELTA STATE — Residents of Ebu Community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State have raised fresh alarm over the worsening state of the only accessible federal road linking the agrarian community to neighboring towns and major commercial centers, warning that the area has been effectively cut off from the rest of the state.
Findings by imirror revealed that the already deteriorated road suffered further damage on Tuesday after repeated use by heavy-duty trailers and lorries, rendering it virtually impassable. By thursday morning, motorists, commuters, and farmers were reportedly stranded as movement in and out of the community became increasingly difficult.
Ebu, widely regarded as one of Delta State’s major food-producing communities, now faces a growing transportation crisis that residents say threatens agricultural production, local commerce, and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Residents lamented that the community has been left without a reliable access route, noting that the alternative Ebu–Ezi-Ukala Road, a state road, has remained in a deplorable condition for decades and is no longer motorable.
The worsening situation has sparked widespread frustration, with community members questioning why Ebu has continued to suffer years of infrastructural neglect despite its strategic contribution to Delta State’s food security.
“What has Ebu Community done to deserve this level of hardship?” a concerned resident asked. “We are known as one of Delta State’s food baskets, yet our roads have been abandoned for years. Today, our community is practically trapped.”
Beyond disrupting economic activities, residents warned that the road collapse now threatens access to healthcare services, schools, security agencies, and the transportation of farm produce to markets across the state.
Community leaders have therefore appealed to both the Federal Government and the Delta State Government to urgently intervene before the situation worsens.
They specifically called on Governor Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and relevant federal authorities to prioritize the rehabilitation of the federal road while also commencing the long-awaited reconstruction of the Ebu–Ezi-Ukala Road to restore access to the community.
Residents warned that continued neglect of the road infrastructure could trigger far-reaching economic and social consequences, affecting not only Ebu but also the wider agricultural supply chain that depends heavily on the community’s farm produce.
As calls for intervention intensify, the people of Ebu say they can no longer endure the hardship, urging authorities at all levels to act swiftly to reconnect the community and prevent what they describe as an unfolding humanitarian and economic emergency.