Residents in the Oba area have raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the roads, citing extortion by hoodlums and hazardous driving conditions as major issues. During a visit to the area on Saturday, our correspondent witnessed waterlogged roads, particularly the busy expressway, with motorists and pedestrians navigating treacherous potholes.One alarming observation made by our reporter was the presence of roadblocks manned by certain naval ratings at Enamel Junction. These individuals were reported to be extorting money from commercial drivers, exacerbating the hardships faced by road users.Chika Udeh, a resident of Oba, expressed deep dismay at the appalling condition of the Amanator section of the road, which was plagued by refuse and flooding. Udeh highlighted the daily struggle faced by locals, who are compelled to walk along the precarious edges of drainage systems to avoid floods. Furthermore, bus operators are refusing to traverse beyond the Amanator Junction, forcibly disembarking passengers and making U-turns due to the road’s abysmal state.Lamenting the dire circumstances, Mama Joy, a food vendor, revealed that commercial drivers and tricycle riders exploit the situation by charging exorbitant fares, inflating the cost of a journey that would typically cost N50 or N100 to as much as N300. The poor road conditions have necessitated significant expenditure on vehicle maintenance by drivers, which has further driven up transportation costs. Adding to the financial burden are the checkpoints manned by naval personnel, where drivers are compelled to part with additional funds.Chief Gabriel Nkasi, the Chairman of the Awada Central Community Development Association, noted a disturbing rise in robberies occurring on the dilapidated stretches of the expressway. This underscores the urgent need for prompt action to address the deteriorating infrastructure and mitigate the escalating security concerns.Speaking anonymously, an official from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing revealed that contracts had been awarded to rehabilitate many of the decrepit roads. However, lack of funds, primarily due to the allocation of resources towards the recently opened Second Niger Bridge, has impeded progress on these much-needed repairs.