SUCCOR TO MOTORISTS AS FERMA OPENS PART OF THE CLOSED OWERRI-OKIGWE ROAD

Motorists plying Owerri-Okigwe Road have heaved a sigh of relief following the partial opening of the collapsed portion at Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State to traffic after more than six months.

A section of the road in a community called Oboh, which serves as boundary between Isiala Mbano and Onuimo Local Government Areas of the State covering over 500 metres, collapsed during the last rainy season thereby forcing motorists to divert traffic to rural roads.

With the intervention of the Federal Government barely four months ago, life appears to be returning to the area, which was covered by flood measuring about one point two metres high.

ome commercial vehicle drivers, who spoke to journalists at the failed spot, commended the government for coming to their rescue, noting that the poor state of the rural road, which served as a by-pass, had led to regular breakdown of their vehicles and subsequent hike in transport fares.

The Managing Director Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr. Nurudeen Rafindadi, who paid an inspection visit to the area, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done so far.

Mr. Rafindadi gave an assurance that the area would be fully opened to traffic in few weeks, noting that five culverts were constructed to check flooding arising from overflow of a nearby river.

Radio Nigeria gathered that a journey from Owerri to Okigwe, which should ordinarily last less than 45 minutes takes motorists about one a half hours due to the poor state of the road.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU