BLOCKAGE OF DRAINS CAUSED A PORTION OF OCHANJA ROAD COLLAPSE — WORKS COMMISSIONER

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

Anambra State Government says work is still ongoing on the 2.3 kilometer Ochanja road, assuring the people of completion in record time.

This is coming on the heels of a purported viral online video report alleging that the whole road was washed away by flood.

The State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ifeanyi Okoma, who gave the assurance while speaking with journalists at the project site, noted that the road was still intact and under construction.

The Works Commissioner, who expreessed shock over the viral video, explained that the road was not yet inaugurated by the state government as earlier reported by the trending online reports.

Mr. Okoma emphasized that the contractor worked on Sunday and only about one foot from where he stopped was washed as a result of the downpour and blocked drains along the road.

The Commissioner attributed the viral report to have been orchestrated by mischief makers, who he alleged were bent on truncating the efforts of the state government towards making the state a liveable and prosperous homeland.

Also, the the Head of the contracting firm, Mr. Mark Tuu, expressed disappointed over the viral video, assuring that his firm had a good track record in the state and was committed towards delivering qaulity road that would stand the test of time.

While speaking on the challenges encounted while constructing the road, Mr. Tuu appealed to residents and traders to stop dumping refuse into drainage channels, pointing out that the washed portions were as a result of the blocked drains.

Some traders and residents interviewed by Radio Nigeria lauded the state government for the construction, expressing satisfaction with the quality of the already asphalted 1.7km road.

They corroborated the contractor’s assertion that the failed portion was as a result of blocked drains before the downpour.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU