From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, have been urged to fix the Aba Branch-Mbaise-Okpala Road.
The appeal was made by Dim Emeka Obasi is a Public Affairs Analyst, in a statement yesterday.
Obasi recalled how some indigenes of Mbaise resident in various countries converged on Essen Germany for the 2023 Annual Mbaise Europe Convention, drew the attention of government.
Also, Emeka Chinedu through a motion at the House of Representatives called on the Federal Government to commence work on the road, but nothing has, so far, been done.
He said the road crosses several commercial towns in Imo State like Aba Branch in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Afor Oru and Ahiara Junction in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Eke Nguru in Aboh Mbaise, Oboama in Ezinihitte Mbaise and Okpala Junction in Ngor-Okpala.
According to him, the pitiable state of the road has become a nightmare and harrowing experience for motorists who now resort to going through private farmlands, communities nestled along the road in order to find alternative routes to their destinations.
He said: “Over the Years the Road has witnessed a severe state of dilapidation occasioned by huge traffic by motorists and successive administrations have turned a blind eye to it.
“This comatose state of the road has led to huge economic loss to the nation amounting to billions as both traders who rely on the road to convey their wares from Imo State to Abia State have had very sorrowful tales and experiences on the Road.
“The terrible state of the road has also, increase crime in both states as urchins and bandits now lurk around in bad sections of the road to wreck havoc to unsuspecting users of the Road.
“At the mment commuting from any part of the Aba branch – Mbaise – Okpala road is a torturous nightmare that no motorist would desire to encounter.
“Most parts of the road have been Submerged in flood, Shops dislocated and Markets located alongside the Road closed due to the sorry state of the Road.
“In recent times some communities along the road have embarked on self -help efforts on their sections of the road, a good example being the remedial works carried out on the road by the Ihitteafoukwu community on their end of the Road Four years ago which greatly brought relief to motorists.
“However, this remedial works can only last for a short period as they can’t really stand the test of time.”
He added: “While we bemoan the pathetic state of the road, we take succor in the fact that the Executive Governor of the State Hope Uzodinma is a man who takes great delight in constructing quality roads and provision of world class infrastructure across Imo State and the Road in Question will definitely soon receive a Midas Touch from him.
“The Federal Minister of Works Engr Dave Umahi is also a man who is renowned for the construction of high quality roads and we believe he will also attend to this very Important Road for the overall benefit of Imolites and Abians.”