For road users in World bank, Federal Housing, Umuguma, Okuku, Port Harcourt road, Egbeada, Relief, and the environs, this is not the best of times as potholes filled with dirty water has be-deviled their use.
With the incessant rains that pour without warning, driving, biking, and even walking are not pleasant especially with the attendant costs of mechanic visits and exorbitant transport costs.
Inner roads within the mentioned areas are hellish especially along World Bank and Umuguma which have become notorious for causing visits to the mechanic, while commercial transporters milk their passengers, which regrettably leaves a big hole in finances.
Ken Uzor who lives in Umuguma lamented that his camry car had broken down twice on the road due to the amount of floods left after the rains. “Within one month, my camry broke down just before the NNPC station along Umuguma road. Till date, my car is still smelling from the enormous water that filtered in. Government must as a matter of urgency, come to our aid, fix this road and save us. Once this road is flooded, we are stranded as nobody can pass through it.
“The scary part is because of the flood, one can miscalculate and fall into the gutter which can swallow a six footer like me, let alone a car like camry or a child. Nobody will even see it to rally help”, Uzor said.
The world bank market road is not any better, riddled with huge potholes that causes traffic gridlock while undisciplined commercial motorcycle operators block the remaining good parts wilfully.
The Owerri-Orlu and Owerri-Okigwe roads constructed by Governor Hope Uzodimma are undoubtedly world-class standards and needs to be replicated on the world bank/Umuguma road to end years of endless tales of woes and road maintenance.
The roads when fixed will help to address the high cost of transportation on the roads which transporters blame on unscheduled mechanic visits and save children long periods spent navigating when they trek to school.
Other roads that require urgent attention includes federal Housing, Okuku, Port Harcourt road especially where vehicles turn because of the construction of the flyover at control post, Egbeada, Relief market, around Orient FM and NTA roads, concorde junction leading to the state assembly, state secretariat and the environs.
Further, kerbs should be constructed on the roads to safeguard against accidents as cars can easily slide into the gutter without any warning.
A clarion call should be made to road contractors to deliver quality projects especially as Uzodimma had complained that many lack discipline if not closely monitored.
