CHUKA UBAH
The Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Anambra State Branch, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Works, Engr. Davi Umahi and Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to declare state of emergency on Nsugbe-Umueri-Aguleri Federal Road.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the CLO Chairman, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme, made the appeal during the tour of some dilapidated and deplorable Federal Roads in Anambra North Senatorial Zone by the lawmaker representing Anambra North, Senator Dr Tony Nwoye.
Comrade Ezekwueme accompanied Senator Nwoye with members representing Onitsha South 1 and 2 in the Anambra State House of Assembly Hon. Barr. Jude Umennajiego, Hon.Fred Ezenwa, Hon Justice Azuka Onitsha North 1, Hon Barr. Patrick Okafor Onitsha North 2, FERMA officials, other dignitaries and Senator Nwoye’s political aides.
The CLO called on President Bola Tinubu, to out of patriotism and magnanimity, send his Minister of Works Engr. Davi Umahi, to urgently visit the decrepit and deplorable road that has made life miserable, unbearable and nightmarish. Those living around the axis had been disconnected due to the failed state of the road as those living or coming in have been cut off completely due to inaccessible and despicable state of the road.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye, who nearly broke down in tears while addressing the press, stated that the road was awarded in 1981 by then late President Shehu Shagari administration and since then no rehabilitation work or maintenance has been done on the road hence the total collapse of the road. His clothes and shoes were stained as he humbly defiled the poor condition of the road and advised his security details and aides to discontinue the tour due to inaccessible and pitiable condition of the road.
Senator Nwoye lamented that the poor condition of the road has worsened insecurity in the state as he lost one of his security men to unknown gunmen on the failed position of the road in February this year.
He stated that he has drawn the attention of Hon.Minister of Works, Engr. Davi Umahi, FERMA, Senate Committee on Appropriation and other relevant authorities for prompt actions. He pleaded with them to listen to cries, excruciating sufferings, pains and agony of his senatorial zone and do the needful by immediate and urgent rehabilitation of the road in order to save lives, improve security, business activities and give people of the areas comfort and sense of belongings as the road connects more than four states.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for directing Minister of Works to commence works on failed portions of Onitsha-Owerri Road and recent contract reawarded for construction of Otuocha-Nzam-Innoma-Iheaka-Abaji roads.
The CLO equally reiterated its earlier call on the Federal Government to expedite actions towards construction of Onitsha-Awka-Ugwuoba-Enugu and Nnewi-Uga-Okigwe Roads to ameliorates devastating, excruciating sufferings and hardships, which the citizens, visitors and road users experience on daily basis.