The Afor 1 of Ihitteafoukwu and Akunaesiobike Mbaise, Chief Okwudiri Divine Nwandu, has urged the minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State to fix the Aba Branch-Mbaise-Okpala road.
The Chief who made the appeal in a statement yesterday made available to newsmen in Abuja said the comatose state of the road has led to huge economic loss to the nation amounting to billions as both traders who rely on the road to convey their wares from Imo State to Abia State have had very sorrowful tales and experiences on the Road.
He also said the poor state of the road has led to a high rate of crime.
Nwandu recalled how some indigenes of Mbaise residents in various countries converged on Essen Germany for the 2023 Annual Mbaise Europe Convention and drew the attention of the government on the need to fix the road.
Also, Emeka Chinedu through a motion at the House of Representatives called on the federal government to commence work on the road, but nothing has, so far, been done.
He said the road crosses several commercial towns in Imo State like Aba, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Afor Oru and Ahiara junction in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Eke Nguru in Aboh Mbaise, Oboama in Ezinihitte Mbaise and Okpala junction in Ngor-Okpala.
According to him, the pitiable state of the road has become a nightmare and harrowing experience for motorists who now resort to going through private farmlands, communities nestled along the road to find alternative routes to their destinations.
He said: “Over the years the road has witnessed a severe state of dilapidation occasioned by huge traffic by motorists and successive administrations have turned a blind eye to it.
“The terrible state of the road has also, increased crime in both states as urchins and bandits now lurk around in bad sections of the road to wreak havoc on unsuspecting users of the Road.
“At the moment commuting from any part of the Aba branch – Mbaise – Okpala road is a torturous nightmare that no motorist would desire to encounter.
“Most parts of the road have been submerged in flood, shops dislocated and markets located alongside the road closed due to the sorry state of the road.”
Also, a public affairs analyst, Dim Emeka Obasi said in recent times some communities along the road have embarked on self-help efforts on their sections of the road.
He said a good example includes the remedial works carried out on the road by the Ihitteafoukwu community on their end of the road four years ago which greatly brought relief to motorists.
Obasi, however, said the remedial only lasts for a short period as they can’t stand the test of time.
He added that he takes great delight in the fact that Uzodinma is a man who constructs quality roads and provides world-class infrastructure across Imo State, adding that the road in question will soon receive his attention.
“The minister of Works Engr Dave Umahi is also a man who is renowned for the construction of high-quality roads and we believe he will also attend to this very Important Road for the overall benefit of Imolites and Abians,” he said.
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