KINGSLEY EBERE
A Non-Governmental organization, Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Anambra State branch, has appealed to the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to rehabilitate the deplorable portions of Umuchu-Umunze Road in order to curb incessant violent crimes being perpetuated by unknown gunmen in the area.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as contained in a press statement released by the group’s Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme and Comrade Chidi Mbah respectively.
The group noted that the primary function of Government is the protection of lives and properties of her citizens as such it is an obligation for the State Government to protect its citizens.
The CLO stated that due to the bad condition of some sections of the said road, motorists and other road users slow down to navigate through the bad sections of the road while hoodlums usually use the opportunity to rob, maim, kidnap and sometimes kill travellers plying the road.
“Only recently, an indigene of Uga, Mr. Umeugochukwu Chinaza Chijioke and an unidentified lady he was traveling with, where shot dead by yet to be identified gunmen.”
“There is urgent and immediate need to rehabilitate the bad portions of the road to forsetall future occurrences of the barbaric and dastardly act by the criminals along the route.”
“We pray for eternal repose of souls of those who lost their lives in various violent crimes in the state and for God to give the bereaved grace to bear and endure the irreparable loss.”
“CLO reiterates its earlier appeal to Governor Soludo to beef up security around Uga, Amesi, Umuchu, Umunze roads and complete the abandoned Ugwuakwu-Ibughubu -Umuchu Road in Aguata Local Government Area of the State.”
“Also worthy of His Excellency’s urgent attention includes Port Harcourt Road, Mbonu Ojike, Saniez, Iweka & Upper Iweka, Zik’s Avenue, Ochanja Roundabout and Miss Elems Street, Venn North and South roads all in Onitsha axis of the state.”
The CLO stated that the roads mentioned continually pose great danger to road users, residents and visitors and had lingered over a long period of time needing great attention from the State Government.
“We congratulate and appreciate Gov Soludo for the unprecedented revolution in roads constructions and rehabilitations across the state especially the much celebrated Akpaka Road, Niger Street/Haruna road, Ekwulobia Flyover, Ichida-Igboukwu roads among other numerous roads under constructions in the state.”
CLO also reiterated its earlier appeal to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the deplorable and dilapidated Onitsha -Owerri Road, which constitutes great threat to road users as trucks and lorries carrying containers frequently fall on vehicles plying the roads due to its pathetic and despicable condition. Others that equally deserve urgent and immediate palliative measures pending when permanent solution will be made include 3-3 Nkwelle -Otuocha Road, Nnewi-Uga-Okigwe Road, Umunya-Awka-Amansea roads.
“There is no doubt in our minds that construction and rehabilitation of decrepit roads will ameliorate the excruciating sufferings of the road users and citizens as well as give them sense of belonging and rekindle people’s hope in government.”
“Finally, we seek for the spiritual intervention of our religious leaders by appealing to them to order for three days fasting and prayers for God’s mercy and solutions towards solving the security challenges that had bedeviled the state and the country” the CLO stated.