Anambra assembly tasks Obiano on construction of rural road

The Anambra State House of Assembly on Friday charged Govrnor Willie Obiano to construct and rehabilitate roads in the rural communities to ease transportation and enhance socio-economic activities.

The House gave the charge in its resolution, following three motions moved under Matters of Urgent Public Importance during the plenary session in Awka.

The house listed some of the roads to include Amansea-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma Road in Orumba North Local Government Area (LGA), Nkwo Oraifite-Nkwo Nnewi-Ndamani Ichi Roads in Ekwusigo LGA and Isuaniocha-Urum-Amanuke Achalla Road in Awka North LGA.

The lawmakers regretted that the condition of the roads was hampering commercial and business activities in the affected communities.

Mr. Onyebuchi Offor (Ekwusigo ll) said that most of the roads had become impassable due to heavy flooding, resulting from the lack of drains.

“Road is an important key to social development and road maintenance is essential to preserve the roads from collapse.

“When you have good roads, safety, convenience and smooth journeys are guaranteed,” Offor said.

Contributing, Mr. Chidi Udenmadu (Ihiala l) said that accidents on the roads remained high due to the dilapidation of the roads.

“The present condition of most of the roads in the hinterlands had made them death traps for motorists that ply them,” Udenmadu said.

Also, Mr. John Nwokoye (Awka North) said that bandits were taking advantage of the poor condition of the roads to rob commuters of their valuables.

“The bad portions of the roads are also used as hideouts for miscreants and bandits, while cultists also conduct their nefarious activities along the road,” he said.

Nwokoye expressed sadness over the abandonment of the Isuaniocha Road which, according to him, was first awarded in 1979 by Jim Nwobodo’s administration.

“It was later re-awarded in 2006 by former Gov. Peter Obi but was abandoned,” he said.

Another lawmaker, Mr. Emeka Aforka (Orumba North), said that the bad condition of rural roads was causing severe damage to vehicles plying them.

“Man hour is wasted, lives are lost, while trading and commercial activities are crippled due to the bad state of the roads in the hinterlands,” he said.

The Speaker of the House, Mr. Uche Okafor, said that it was incumbent on the government to provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure smooth transportation of goods and services.

“Good road network triggers off development and growth in any given economy.

“Therefore, we urge Governor Obiano to direct the Commissioner for Road Construction, Road Furniture and Maintenance to construct and rehabilitate roads in the hinterlands.

“If these roads are fixed, it will increase mobility, access to markets, connect demand and supply, reduce transportation cost, accidents, crimes and enhance economic growth,” Okafor said.