Residents and road users in parts of Abia State have cried out to Governor Alex Otti to urgently rescue them from deplorable roads that have turned their communities into a nightmare.
The affected roads — Ndoki Road stretching from Obehie Roundabout through Ukwa East, Obuohia Road in Ugwunagbo, Umuojima Road in Osisioma, Ekeakpara and other adjoining roads — have become almost impassable, crippling business and movement.
For commuters plying Ndoki Road in Ukwa East LGA, the story is one of daily agony.
A commercial motorcyclist who spoke to our reporter said: “We cannot use this road comfortably. We are suffering here. We appeal to the government to come and construct the road so that it will be motorable. Vehicles ply this road, and the hardship is too much. This time around, we will support any government that will come to our aid and construct our roads.”
Corroborating him, a resident, Osondu Emelogu, who lives around Obehie Roundabout, said the road has been abandoned for over three years.
“We need the government to come and do this road for us. For over three years now, we have been suffering because of the condition of this road. It has equally slowed down business activities. We have been managing it, and it is giving us serious problems. We want the government to come to our aid,” he said.
Residents also decried the total collapse of Obuohia Road in Ugwunagbo LGA, which they described as completely neglected and almost impassable.
They expressed shock that a road leading to the headquarters of a Local Government Area could be left in such deplorable condition for years, despite serving several communities.
In Osisioma LGA, Ogbonna Kanu lamented the condition of Umuojima Road, which connects Ukwachi, Ekeakpara and residences of several prominent Abians.
According to him, the road has become a death-trap for motorists and residents, restricting movement and causing untold hardship.
The residents also listed Ekeakpara and adjoining community roads as requiring urgent intervention, warning that continued neglect will further strangulate economic and social life.
They appealed to the Abia State Government to prioritize the roads, stressing that good road networks are critical to economic growth, transportation and the wellbeing of the people.
