Repair work begins on collapsed section of East-West Road at Kira in Tai LGA of Rivers State

Repair work has begun on the collapsed section of the East-West Road at Kira community in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, raising hopes of relief for motorists who have faced weeks of danger navigating the damaged stretch.

Ongoing work at Kira axis of East West Road / Photo by Damian Gbogbara

Signage at Kira axis of East West Road / Photo by Damian Gbogbara

Two staff members of the construction company handling the repairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Bonny FM correspondent Damian Gbogbara that the culvert was being widened and extended to improve water drainage and channel floodwater farther away from the road.

Equipment and signage at Kira axis of East West Road / Photo by Damian Gbogbara

They said geotechnical surveys had also been conducted to determine the cause of the damage, assuring road users that measures were being taken to prevent a recurrence.

A community representative identified simply as Tony commended the construction company and expressed appreciation to the government, relevant agencies and private individuals who contributed to ensuring that repairs commenced.

The development comes after weeks of concern over the damaged road section, which forced motorists to navigate one side of the road, raising fears of accidents and a possible complete disruption of traffic. Residents and road users had attributed the collapse to erosion and heavy rainfall, warning that the situation could worsen without urgent intervention.

Signage at Kira axis of East West Road / Photo by Damian Gbogbara

One road user, who spoke to Bonny FM, said the volume of water recorded in the area this year was unlike anything he had witnessed in previous years. He suggested that the culvert could not adequately accommodate the volume of floodwater, allowing the pressure to damage the structure. Another motorist blamed the excessive rainfall for the damage and called on the government to intervene urgently, warning that continued deterioration could eventually cut off the road completely.

The danger posed by the failed section had already raised serious safety concerns, with several accidents reportedly occurring near the spot. On September 1, 2026, three people were seriously injured in a road accident close to the affected section, with eyewitnesses reporting that the victims lost consciousness.

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attending to some accident victims along the failed portion of the road / Photo by Damian Gbogbora

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With repair work now underway, road users and residents will be hoping that the intervention provides a lasting solution to the drainage problem and prevents further damage, accidents and disruption along the busy East-West Road.