Afam Power Station Host Communities Decry Speed Of Road Project

Host communities of the Afam Power Station in Rivers State have cried out over the slow pace of work on the Afam-Oyigbo road project in Oyigbo local government area of the state.

The 19-kilometre Afam-Oyigbo road, which is being reconstructed by the Rivers State government, was flagged-off in December 2021 by the suspended national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu.

The project stretches from the Afam-Oyigbo Junction in Oyigbo town to Afam main town, where the power station and Rivers State government-owned Cassava processing plant is located.

It covers over five kilometres of road that connects remote villages like Obete and Azuogu which borders the Imo River in Oyigbo local government area.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend in Port Harcourt yesterday, a community leader in the area, Hon. Innocent Ajaelu, said considering the slow pace of work on the road, it may take another two years for the project to be completed.

Ajaelu said: “Considering the snail-speed on the Afam-Oyigbo Road project, I don’t think that road will be complete in the next two years. It is a pity; it is unfortunate that the former governor promised Oyigbo people during his second term campaign that the road would be ready in one year.

“I can remember vividly when the former PDP chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, flagged off that road. The former governor told us that in one year, the Oyigbo road would be ready.

“Sadly, the Afam-Oyigbo Road was flagged off the same day the Rumuokwurushi fly-over was flagged off. But, I can tell you today, Rumuokwurushi fly-over is an old project and Oyigbo road is still the way it is.

“I don’t really know why this insult on Oyigbo people. I don’t really know what is going on in Oyigbo. Oyigbo is not a local government you will say is a burden to Rivers State, Oyigbo local government has and is still producing the commonwealth that Nigerians are enjoying.

“In fact, Oyigbo people are suffering. From Oyigbo Town to my village, Obeakpu was before now N300, but now it is about N2,500 because of the condition of the road.”