Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Willie Obiano to direct relevant authority to embark on immediate repairs of the Ojoto-Ede road in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area (LGA).The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Mr Nonso Igwe representing Ogbaru 1, which was seconded by Mr Patrick Udoba (Anambra West constituency) during plenary on July 16.
The Speaker, Mr Uchenna Okafor, who presided over the plenary had put up the motion, while the House unanimously adopted it through voice votes.Mr Okafor appealed to Gov. Obiano to look at the yearnings of the legislators, who had been crying out over the benefits of their various constituents.Mr Nonso Igwe, speaking on the motion, expressed worries over the state of the road, which according to him, has become so deteriorated that it has become impassable.
“The Ojoto-Ede road is a major link road into Ogbaru 1 State constituency that connects a lot of other roads within the axis of Ogbaru LGA.’’Mr Igwe emphasised that the people of Okpoko no longer enjoy Government presence in the community, saying that their movement had severely restricted as a result of this bad road.
“My constituents cannot move freely in and out of Okpoko. I cannot access my house in my hometown with my car. I have to park in a Church and use any available means to reach my house.’’He, then, urged the state government to immediately swing into action and fix the road in order to avert untold hardships faced by the people.
I am disturbed that the economic activities within the region are being affected negatively as motorists no longer use the said road,’’ he added.Members who spoke in favour of the motion include Mr Chidi Udemadu representing Ihiala 1 constituency, Mr Timothy Ifedioranma (Njikoka 1), and Mr Carter Umeh (Aguata 1).
Others are Mr Somtochukwu Udeze (Ogbaru 2 constituency), Mr John Nwokoye (Awka North) and Mr Charles Obimma, representing Oyi state constituency.
The legislators said they were not happy over the two major roads in Ogbaru; Obodoukwu and Okpoko, both of which were in terrible state.This road is just 1.5 kilometers long; it is like this because of neglect. Things should have been done when dilapidation set in.This road bears a lot of people and businesses, including one of the major markets in Onitsha so this road needs to be fixed.Majority of revenue come from this road and we know that we are in the rainy season; even if it is palliative work that is done on this road, it will alleviate the plight of people.’’
