The Fugar Progressive Union (FPU), has condemned the current hardship being experienced by users of the Auchi-Fugar-Agenebode road as a result of the failed portion at Ayogwiri, in Etsako West local government area of Edo State, due to environmental/ecological degradation.
The road is the major road that links the three local government areas in Etsako and environs, and also leads to a portion of the River Niger, where commuters board ferries to Idah in Kogi State.
According to a statement signed by the president general, Barr Richard Anetekhai, the union said the deplorable road is very pivotal to the social, economic, and cultural activities of not just the people of Etsako, but the entire Edo North and neighbouring areas, as it had become an alternative route to the Federal Capital Territory.
“FPU notes the ugly security situation in the country, particularly as the affected area has been prone to kidnapping and armed robbery in the past.
“Using alternative route established by the people as the only avenue of getting to their destination at this material time may expose users of the road to security risk.
“The FPU calls on the federal government to urgently intervene on the failed portion in order to ameliorate the hardship of the people who are already battling with the removal of fuel subsidy and other economic challenges.
“We also appeal to the Edo State Government, the three local government areas in Etsako, development partners to assist the people of Etsako in rescuing our people and other users of the road from further deterioration of the failed portion and from imminent calamity,” he said.
