JUBILATION AS GOVT BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF EGEDEGEDE—NKALEHA ROAD IN EBONYI
REPORTER: AMECHI ODO
Last year, the people of Ebonyi State were thrown into fear and pains following a broad daylight attack by suspected armed herders on Egedegede, located at the boundary axis among Ebonyi, Enugu and Benue States.
Apart from the destruction of lives and property during the attack, the incident also gave an insight into the deplorable condition of basic infrastructure, especially roads in the community.
Happily Radio Nigeria observed that Ebonyi State and Ishielu Local Government authority had embarked on the construction of Egedegede-Nkaleha road as part of efforts to forestall another security breach and improve on farming activities in the area.
Recall that last year, suspected armed herdsmen blocked roads within the axis of Obeagu, Egedegede and Amaezu communities in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State where they unleashed mayhem on innocent commuters and residents, killing at least seventeen persons.
Although the affected families had been compensated, the attack attracted the attention of the government to the huge agricultural potential of the area and the need to construct the four kilometre Egedegede-Nkaleha road which hitherto was a nightmare.
A community Leader, Chief Ikechukwu Onwa described the intervention as a huge economic relief, noting that it would further restore farmers’ confidence in government as well as strengthen security arrangements put in place in the aftermath of the attack.
It was observed that the construction of the road had already improved movement of farm produce and reduced the cost of transportation.
A commercial motorcyclist, Mr. Chibuike Uga, who was visibly happy with the projection, however appealed to the government to ensure the completion of the work considering that previous interventions failed.
He noted that the completion of the road would enable the farmers to make returns on investment by moving their produce to urban markets where they would attract more buyers.
The Council Chairman of Ishielu, Mr. Sunday Eze, assured that peace had been restored in the attacked community while the road would be constructed with rigid pavement and be linked up with Benue communities.
Meanwhile, the Obeagu- Egedegede road which is also strategic in the transportation of farm produce in the area is also in terrible condition and residents of the area say the road needs urgent attention from the government.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
