By Cyril Aririguzo
“Another abandonment will speak doom and more hardship in the state”
By Cyril Aririguzo, KSM
The residents of Ihiagwa and Nekede Communities are unhappy and nervous. As the year progresses and rainy season approaches, they are afraid of tomorrow and what it could bring.
To them, the rainy season is a nightmare. They have no road. The road which links the two important communities together is in its worst State.
Here is why it is an irony. The two Communities are hosts to two high profile Federal Institutions – The Federal University of Technology, Owerri and the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede.
Yet, the people have suffered the worst of abandonment over the state of the very important Ihiagwa-Nekede Road.
Put under severe pressure as the rainy season gradually approaches, Residents of the two communities in the Owerri West Local Government Area have urged the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to come to their rescue by completing the remaining part of the road along the Nekede-lhiagwa-FUTO back gate axis which was abandoned half way.
Addressing newsmen in Owerri recently, a member of the community and Chieftain of All Peoples Congress (APC) Hon (Dr.) Chiedo Ohamere said they have been abandoned by the Government for too long. He complained bitterly against the manner the road was abandoned by the Government half way after so much clearing work was done, and people’s hopes raised.
According to him, “the abandonment has caused more damage to the ecosystem which led to its deplorable state during the rains, and made it a nightmare and non pliable for motorists and other road users.”
He posited that further abandonment of the road will result to disaster, and inflict more hardship on the people, especially, if nothing is done before the rainy season begins.
He submitted that the condition of the road has brought untold hardship, pain and made the people to loose faith and trust in the Government of the day. He, therefore, urged the Government to do something urgently to regain and justify their support and vote during the last November 11 election to Gov Uzodinma.
He explained that the road is a very important network road in the state that ought to be made a priority because of its importance in the socio economic development of the state, housing close to 30% -35% of the population of the state.
“We are in deep distress in this account. Mere trekking can easily trigger an acute tachycardia.”
Below are some of the views of people and students concerning the road when interviewed:
“We almost lose our energy each time we trek on the road to school and the state of the road is so bizarre” – FUTO student.
“Severally I had fallen down on this road. Please, our Governor should looks into this matter seriously and take prompt and necessary action to save us of this problem ” – Old man
“Our market used to be a no-go-area to many commuters and motorists owing to its deplorable condition. The nightmare that has come to be associated with this road has made some landlords to abandon their houses and become tenants in other areas.
I cannot but appeal to the governor to provide good road network. I really feel sorry for the pregnant mothers plying those bad roads on daily basis because as I was told, some expectant mothers have had miscarriages because of the bad road” – a concerned villager.
In the wake of any further intensive rainfall, the issue of bad road has become a pertinent matter requiring urgent lasting solution as floods threaten to destroy our homes and properties. The sound of a rushing rainfall remains an impediment to the well-being of your people. who call on your help he asserted.
