Inside Onitsha Bridgehead’s Traffic Chaos: Illegal Parks, Revenue Leakages and Alleged Official Protection

Busese loading on the road along Onitsha – Asaba Bridgehead

The Onitsha Bridgehead remains one of the most chaotic traffic corridors in Anambra State, with persistent gridlock caused by the indiscriminate loading of commercial vehicles and the activities of individuals extorting money from motorists.

Concerned by the worsening situation, our reporters conducted an investigation into the transport system around the Bridgehead axis of Onitsha.
The investigation uncovered serious concerns over the continued operation of illegal revenue collection points, unauthorised motor parks, and roadside loading bays despite repeated government efforts to restore order.
These activities persist even though the Anambra State Government has approved and designated the Omambala Line Bus Terminal at the Bridgehead as the official park for commercial vehicles, particularly those operating interstate routes.
Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, approved the bus terminal as part of his administration’s broader plan to eliminate indiscriminate roadside loading, decongest the Bridgehead area, improve traffic flow, and create a more organised transport system in line with his vision of transforming Onitsha into a modern and smart commercial city.
However, findings by our reporters indicate that hundreds of commercial vehicles continue to load passengers along roadsides and at several unauthorised locations around the Bridgehead, creating severe traffic bottlenecks and raising allegations that some highly placed government officials may be benefiting financially from the illegal operations. Majority of the funds generated from the area never get to government .
According to figures obtained during the investigation, more than 300 commercial vehicles operate daily on the Onitsha–Benin and Onitsha–Agbor routes, while an estimated 800 vehicles commute daily between Onitsha and Asaba from the Bridgehead area.
Given the volume of commercial traffic, transport operators and other sources familiar with activities in the area alleged that millions of naira in potential government revenue are instead ending up in private hands.
According to the sources, millions of naira allegedly exchange hands daily through vehicle bookings, loading fees, commissions, illegal levies and other unofficial collections associated with the unauthorised loading points.
They further alleged that these operations are protected by private individuals acting with the backing of some influential government officials.
Several sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, described the illegal parks as “oil wells” for certain government officials allegedly connected to their continued existence.
They questioned why commercial vehicles are still permitted to load passengers on public roads when government-approved parks and terminals already exist.
“What we cannot understand is why vehicles are still loading on the roads when there are approved parks. Somebody must be benefiting from this disorder,” one of the sources said.
Other observers argued that the situation runs contrary to Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Onitsha into a modern, liveable, prosperous and globally competitive commercial city.
According to them, a city of Onitsha’s commercial importance and population density requires far more than simply removing vehicles from the roads.
“A modern city requires properly planned and functional bus terminals, designated loading and drop-off points, organised bus routes, efficient traffic management, modern bus stops, pedestrian walkways, functional traffic lights, road markings, adequate parking facilities and strict enforcement against roadside loading.
“It should also have technology-driven traffic monitoring systems, digital ticketing and automated revenue collection, reliable public mass transit, clearly designated taxi and shuttle terminals, park-and-ride facilities, adequate street lighting and an integrated transport network capable of moving commuters efficiently without turning major roads into motor parks.
“These are the essential components of any smart transport system and are critical to achieving Governor Soludo’s ambition of transforming Onitsha into a smart mega city.”they said.
Critics also argued that allowing illegal motor parks and roadside loading points to flourish not only worsens traffic congestion but also undermines government-approved terminals, encourages massive revenue leakages and creates opportunities for illegal levies, extortion and alleged profiteering.
According to them, the government cannot successfully modernise Onitsha’s transport system if individuals within or outside government are allowed to undermine official policy for personal financial gain.
When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Edward Ibuzor, said he was aware of the situation and would visit the area on Wednesday for an on-the-spot assessment.
Ibuzor disclosed that he had already summoned a senior government official allegedly linked to the matter and issued him a serious warning.
According to the commissioner, the Ministry of Transport has already commenced efforts to address the situation.
He further assured that he would personally lead an enforcement operation at the Bridgehead as part of measures to restore order and eliminate illegal transport activities in the area.
The commissioner also expressed confidence that traffic congestion in Onitsha would become a thing of the past before the end of the year 2026.
Nevertheless, the development raises broader questions about enforcement, accountability and the apparent resilience of illegal transport operations in one of Anambra State’s busiest commercial corridors.
Observers insist that if the Soludo administration’s smart-city agenda is to succeed, approved transport policies must go beyond official pronouncements. They argue that the policies must be implemented consistently, transparently and without allowing vested interests to sabotage government reforms for private financial gain.
“The Governor’s dream of making Anambra a smart city and a preferred investment destination cannot be realised while Onitsha, the major gateway into the state, remains in total traffic chaos.
“The promise of an Anambra smart city must go beyond rhetoric and policy pronouncements. It requires total enforcement of government policies without fear or favour.”they said.
The observers further maintained that the continued activities of illegal revenue collectors and operators of unauthorised parks at the Bridgehead are damaging the image of Anambra State by portraying it as a disorganised society where official policies can easily be undermined by vested interests.