MIX REACTIONS GREET MGBAKWU-ISUANIOCHA ROAD PROJECT:
Reactions have continued to trail the recommencement of work on the Isuaniocha Mgbakwu road project.
The contract was awarded by the Willie Obiano led administration two years ago.
While some applauded the Anambra State Government for mobilising the contractor back to site, others described the timing for reconstruction work as counter-productive, especially to the road users.
Residents and road users had complained about the slow pace of work, the quality and durability of the drainage while some commended government for considering the road for construction in the first instance.
About two kilometers is said to have been completed out of the three and half kilometer road, which connects various communities as well as link to federal and state establishments located in the community.
One of the residents, Mr. Christian Nnenna, wondered why the contactor had to wait since October when the rains stopped only to commence work at the peak of the Yuletide.
Mr. Nnenna expressed regret that youths of Mgbakwu had tasked themselves to do palliative on the road to allow free flow of traffic during the Christmas and New year celebrations only for the construction firm to resume work in a manner that causes hardship to the people.
Another respondent, Mr. Chukwujekwu Umenyiora, alleged that the government was delaying the project for cheap political gains anticipated during the next governorship election in the state.
He noted that the scrapping and blocking of the only road leading to the community during the festive period subjected both motorists and returnees to unnecessary hardship.
He however commended the contractor for the speed so far.
A shop owner, Mr. Frederick Nwodo, while commending the government for mobilising the contractor back to site, harped on the need for the project to be completed before the next rainy season sets in.
Mr. Nwodo said though the construction of the drainage was affecting shops and perimeter fences in the area, the people would take it in good faith only when the road was not abandoned halfway again.
In an interview with Radio Nigeria, the contractor handling the Isuaniocha Mgbakwu Road project, Mr. Luke Aniakor, said the rains lasted till about early December 2019, which hampered the speed of the drainage construction.
Mr. Aniakor while commending the people of Awka North Local Government Area for their patience, gave an assurance that the less than one kilometer work remaining would be completed before the next rainy season would set in.
He appealed to road users and motorists for their understanding of the temporary discomfort, as all efforts were being made to ensure that the road was executed according to the contractual specification.
UCHE NDEKE