UBAHUEKWEM-IHIALA COMMUNITY LAMENTS 20 YEARS OF ABANDONED ROAD PROJECT

The people of Ubahuekwem-Ihiala in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State have pleaded with the state government to complete the abandoned Ubahuekwem road project, which has been in dilapidated condition over the years.

The residents of the community also lamented that the condition of the road was negatively impacting on the economic activities of the people, especially during the rainy season.

Ubahuekwem, which consists of six villages is one of the ten communities that make up Ihiala town.

The people are known for farming and other commercial ventures.

A resident, Mr. Sunday Eze, claimed that the community had been marginalised in terms of road infrastructure.

According to him, the people cultivate rice, cassava and other corps in large quantities and also have a daily market, which generate revenue for the state.

A farmer, Mr. Basil Amadi, explained that the road was an alternative route from Ogbaru down to Onitsha.

Mr. Amadi pleaded with Governor Willie Obiano to re-award the construction of the road to ease the transportation of their farm produce to enhance the growth of their economy.

Another resident of the area, Mrs. Baby Okonkwo, cried out that the dust emanating from the abandoned road was unhealthy and had made life miserable as well as uninhabitable for the villagers.

She lamented that they paid three hundred naira to commute from Ezego Junction Ihiala to Ubahuekwem village as against one hundred to one hundred and fifty naira they paid before the road was abandoned.

Yet another resident, Mr. Ikenna Nzeribe, explained that their joy knew no bounds when Dr. Chris Ngige’s administration awarded the road and lamented that twenty years after, the road was yet to be completed.

Mr. Nzeribe said that the deteriorating roads were worrisome and called for urgent attention to them as rains would soon start.

When contacted, the member Representing Ihiala One constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Chidi Udemadu declined comments.

PAMELA IGWE