A group made up of some Anambra State indigenes living outside Nigeria, has expressed shock and total disappointment over shoddy roads constructed by an indigenous contractor in Nneyi, a town in Umueri community of Anambra East Local Government Area.
Known as Nneyi Diaspora Progressives (NDP), the group said they were in Nigeria recently to participate in the 2023 Alommuo (New Yam) festival of Umueri but were saddened to see that roads, constructed barely two years ago, during the administration of Governor Willie Obiano have been completely washed off.
The group, therefore, called on Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, to order for investigation to unravel the identity of the owner(s) of the company that was awarded the contract for the purpose of finding out why such bad job was done on the roads.
NDP also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to wade into the matter to bring the culprits to book, adding that the action of the construction company was nothing but economic sabotage against the people of Nneyi, Umueri community and Anambra State in general.
it would be recalled that some online newspapers had over the weekend reported that the community leader of Nneyi, Chief Obeluo Anikpeh, had cried out over the shoddy work carried on the roads by one ‘New Idea Construction Company’ and had also called on the state Governor to investigate the contract.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka on Monday, Chief Linus Obidike, President of Nneyi Diaspora Progressives, said even though they were on their way back to the countries of the residence, they would follow up the case to ensure that justice is done, as their people back home have been robbed by the company and are now facing untold hardship instead of relief that the road was supposed to bring to them.
He said something urgent needs to be done before their farmlands, crops, schools and houses get submerged.
In addition, NDP lamented that villages have been cut off due to the bad roads, thereby making it difficult for inter-communal interaction while food items and other commodities cannot be moved to the markets, adding that the worst affected area is the Afia Ama-Ogbu-Mgbede Umueri road.
He noted that the community had been doing so many palliatives on the road before it went beyond their individual and group capacity.
He said- “We want to use this opportunity to call on our able and working Governor, His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to come to the rescue of Nneyi community in Umueri, as our schools, farmlands, crops and houses are under serious threat of submersion due to bad road constructed by a certain contractor during the administration of Chief Willie Obiano.
“We believe that the roads were awarded in good faith and for the betterment of our community.
“However, the good gesture has turned to a nightmare as the roads which were badly constructed are now death traps. In addition, because they have been totally washed off, the roads are now part of the reasons for the erosion threatening to submerge our houses, farms, crops and schools.
“It is so saddening that we came home to rejoice with our people during the celebration of 2023 Alommuo festival only to meet our community roads completely washed off, which has brought sorrow to our people. This is not acceptable.
“NDP therefore want the state government to identify the contractor that was awarded the roads for questioning and sanction, as it has become obvious that the company just pocketed the money and whitewashed the road before disappearing. We call on the EFCC to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
“In addition, we pray that Governor Soludo send the state commissioner for Works to come and see the roads in question, in order that urgent measures would be taken to remedy the situation before it gets completely out of hand.
“NDP wishes to use this opportunity to thank Governor Soludo for his good works in the state, including transformation of Anambra communities and especially his recent declaration of free and compulsory education from nursery to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools in the state, adding that it would inspire all parents and guardians to send the children to school, irrespective of their financial standing,” Chief Obidike stated.
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