ISUANIOCHA COMMUNITY APPEALS TO GOVT. FOR URGENT INTERVENTION TO AVOID TOTAL COLLAPSE OF OBIBIA BRIDGE
About six communities in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra state are at the verge of being cut from the rest of the state due to the poor condition of the bridge linking them with Awka the state capital.
The linking Obibia Bridge which was constructed by the previous administration in the state is a lead way to Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu, Urum, Amanuke , Achalla, among others. Awka North is one of the food producing local government areas that make up Anambra State and also form part of Awka the capital territory.
Over the years the people have continued to complain of lack of infrastructural development occasioned by what they called neglect by successive administrations. A motorist, Mr Jonathan Goodlove and a resident Mr Micheal Madumere decried the poor state of the linking bridge as well as other roads in the area.
Two residents , Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo and Mr Tochukwu Nwokolo lamented the challenge commuters face daily on the bridge especially during peak hours.
The President General of Isuaniocha Community, Mr Frank Mkpume who described the Obibia bridge as strategic and only assess to the area , appealed to government to urgently come to their rescue to avoid total collapse.
” This bridge connects so many communities and establishments, Radio Nigeria is here, Anambra state Polytechnic is also located here, National Youth Development Centre is also situated in the Awka North, yet look at the only bridge we have, i am not saying that government is not trying in other areas, but Awka North we are forgotten and its painful.”
Responding to the call for urgent attention, the commissioner for Works, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor told newsmen shortly after inspecting the Obibia bridge that the structure was not threatened as speculated but agreed that some of the reinforcements have been exposed due to flood that washed away the asphalt.
” we had sent engineers to come and check the bridge and i can tell you that it is very strong. Just that some of the reinforcements have been exposed and we have made plans to fix it without delay. “
Mr Ifejiofor therefore appealed to residents of the area to avoid dumping wastes on waterways as such practice threaten roads and bridges built by the government.
Our correspondent reports that some concerned citizens from Isunauocha and Mgbakwu however took a step to save the situation by embarking on palliative work on the Obibia bridge pending government intervention.
UCHE NDEKE