The people Umudukwu City Council and Umudukwu Landlords Development Forum, in Obingwa local government Area of Abia State, have called on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led government to complete construction work on their road.
The construction work is said to have commenced 5 years ago.
ABN TV reports, Obingwa is governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s local government.
The community in a statement signed by Hon. Prince GO Ndubueze, Chairman, Umudukwu City Council stated that the joy of the people when the road was flagged off was shortlived due to inability of the contractor, Zubiaco Nigeria Ltd to continue work since September 2015.
“On behalf of Umudukwu City Council and Umudukwu Landlords Development Forum, We are sincerely praying that the State Government will remember that by September 2015 a contractor by name Zubiaco Nigeria Ltd started construction of Umudukwu major road from Anti-Royal by 190 Ikot -Ekpene Road Ehere Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area.
“Security gates and house fence of all the properties within the road were demolished in the need to expand the road and topsoil of the road were removed as would demand in reasonable road construction requirements.
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“And a little distance from Anti-Royal close to popular Afrik Hotel were sand filled with red mould, every resident and motorist (Especially the Ehere Timber Market, Umuafor, Umuokahia and Amaorji Ukwu )were in jubilation that the government of His Excellency Okezie Victor Ikpeaze P.HD have remembered us as the road makes it easy for them to visit both the Timber and Regular markets, as the ONLY major market in Obingwa local government.
“However, the joy was short-lived as the construction work suddenly stopped and overnight the whole construction equipment were removed” the statement read in part.
While stating that the community has been subjected to undue hardship, the community said inaccessibility of roads in the area has made it difficult to get assistance from security agencies especially with increase in crime rate as a result of cult-related activities.
“Hence since these five years Umudukwu residents have mostly suffered undue hardship including the motorist and Ehere market itself as Umudukwu road is the only option for Ikot-Ekpene road at Texaco point is impassable.
“Crime rate have increased as law enforcement officials would not help us in the event of criminal attacks due to accessible road for timely intervention, cult groups have taken advantage of that and residents, shop owners and motorist have continued to live in terror of wanton killings, shop vandalism, raping of innocent young ladies and the cult groups have had their field day within Umudukwu Kingdom and environs.
“So time last year a popular transporter resident in the village was nearly send to early grave, his survival is only by Gods intervention and many more shocking stories on daily basis.
“Okada riders have been charging N200.00 from Opobo Junction to Umudukwu against N100.00 due to bad roads, so many tenants have relocated others wouldn’t pay their rents to landlords with excuse on the suffering and running expenses of going and coming back daily.
“The Afrik Hotel have been under lock and key since five years now and other Small Scale Enterprises (SME’s) within Umudukwu have all been relocated or close down, recently is the only bakery and Ohanze Water Factory is nearly collapsed.
“We are calling on the State Government and the Zubaico Nigeria Ltd to find a way to collaborate with us for a little palliative measure within this coming dry season pending when the contractor will be mobilized to site” they said.
