AGRARIAN COMMUNITY CRIES OUT TO ANAMBRA STATE GOVT OVER DEPLAPIDATED ROAD
REPORTER: SCHOLAR ABAGA
The people of Igbariam in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State
are appealing to the state government to declare a state of emergency on the major road in the community.
The dilapidated road in Igbariam, Anambra East Local Government Area, which connects other roads, has become a source of worry to the residents as many lengthy failed portions of the road are said to have continued to hamper the socio- economic development of the people.
For instance, some portions of Achalla Junction down to Odulu bridge are now a nightmare as the rains intensify.
Radio Nigeria gathers that the road is presently erosion threatened and the bridge about to collapse because of poor drainage.
Igbariam has ten villages namely: Eziama, Eziafor, Ubaru, Urualor, Anakwem, lmendo, lfite, and three villages of the farm settlement.
It shares boundaries with Ukwulu, Achalla, Awkuzu and Nando communities.
Igbariam also produces yam, cocoyam, cassava, tomatoes, plantain and vegetables among others.
The people of the community are also noted for their fishery exploits.
Nevertheless, poor road network has been a hindrance to the transportation of farm produce to other communities, hence the need for government attention.
For example, the Achalla-lgbariam road, constructed by the past administrations with the aim of helping other link roads, has become the only connecting road to Ayamelum and some parts of Enugu State.
As a result, the road is exposed to frequent vehicular movements of lorries as such making the road weak.
A resident and veteran broadcaster, Chief Emeka Odikpo, said the road which connects Ayamelum, (an agrarian community and other Anambra East communities, which are all part of the food basket of the state) needed urgent state intervention.
Another resident, Chief lfeanyi Okoye, decried the poor nature of the road and appealed to the government to repair the failed portions of the facility to promote socio-economic activities in the area.
Similarly, an indigene of the area, Mr. Pius Anago, noted that “the major road is now a den of thieves and kidnappers” and called for repair of roads in the area for security reasons.
Contributing, a respected member of the community, Mr. Mike Akwuba, observed that “the bad road is affecting the market as people no longer come to buy and sell their goods as before.”
Meanwhile, the President General of Igbariam, Dr. Chris Offorkansi, revealed that the town had written several letters to the state government in respect of the matter without success.
He, however, expressed regret that the town’s road was not included among those recently enlisted by the state government for rehabilitation and wondered why they were forgotten since they voted massively for the ruling party in the last Governorship election.
He implored the state government to rehabilitate the worst portions of the road to avoid frequent attacks of motorists and commuters by hoodlums.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
