…Calls for intervention in Ikeduru erosion menace
_By Ebenezer Ojor_
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr Obinna Obi-Njoku Jr, has reiterated his appeal to Governor Hope Uzodinma to extend the MCC-Uratta road to Uzoagba in Ikeduru Local Government of Imo State.
Obi-Njoku Jr emphasised that the project would open up some of the most remote and. environmentally – challenged communities in Ikeduru.
In a statement recently, Dr Obi-Njoku Jr who described Governor Uzodinma as the infrastructure champion,
bared his mind on the giant strides Governor Uzodinma has achieved in the area of infrastructure in his five years in office:
“It is no doubt that the Imo infrastructure narrative has changed so fast in the last five years of His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma administration. From Owerri to Orlu, Owerri to Okigwe, Owerri to Umuahia, among many others. It is the same success story of infrastructural turnaround which will etch Governor Uzodinma’s name in the slabs of Imo history.
“The landscape of Owerri – the capital city of Imo State has also changed considerably. What’s is more, a brand new state-of-the-art overhead bridge (flyover) has sprung up at the ever-busy Control Post roundabout in Owerri. While the world-class Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre (named after one of our greatest) is almost completed.
“It is heartwarming that the construction of the dual carriage MCC-Uratta Road and Chukwuma Nwoha, including the reconstructed Works Road and the Orji -Uratta-Egbu-Naze ring road, among many others, has brought a new lease of life for residents, enhanced movement and ease of doing business; thus putting an end to the notorious traffic congestion for which Owerri was known before Governor Uzodinma came on board, aside shoring up the esthetics of the city with impetus to the state’s tourism sector.
“Let me however, navigate closer to my own Ikeduru LGA. In some interviews I granted in the recent past, I have had the audacity to describe Governor Uzodinma as the infrastructure champion; a description inspired not just by the governor’s infrastructure revolution, but also his unprecedented courage in finding lasting solution to the hitherto defiant Ekemele debacle.
“Today, I make bold to say that Ikeduru people as well as communities in Mbaitoli, Mbano, Onuimo, Ideato up to Okigwe, can drive home in a matter of minutes. In the same vein, states like Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu can now connect Imo seamlessly through the new look over 50- kilometer Owerri- Okigwe road with roadlights installed. Thanks to Governor Uzodinma’s timely intervention and strategic thinking.”
” My passionate appeal therefore goes to His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma to extend the good work he has already done on the dual carriage MCC-Uratta road, to Uzoagba Ikeduru. I’m particularly upbeat about the impactfulness of this project.
“For a long time, communities like Ebikoro, Amakohia, Okwu, Avuvu, among other Ikeduru communities have had to take the pain to access their villages through Emekuku and Azaraegbelu in Owerri North LGA via the Owerri -Mbaise-Umuahia road. Sadly for these Ikeduru communities, the unsavory experience akin to a marathon race, equally eats deep into their resources.
“With the extension of the MCC – Uratta road to Ikeduru, it can only take a question of minutes to reach Uzoagba, Avuvu, Amakohia, Okwu and other Ikeduru communities East of the Mbaa River from Owerri. I think this project which will be novel (and a big plus to Governor Uzodinma administration), will open up some of the most remote and environmentally- challenged communities in Ikeduru LGA.”
Dr Obi-Njoku Jr further appealed to the governor to come to the rescue of Ikeduru communities hit by erosion menace;
“Ikeduru is erosion-prone partly because it sits on three rivers including the Okita Nkwo River, Mbaa River and Orammiriukwa. Most of its terrain are hilly, thus predisposing the LGA to gully erosion.
“Ugirike, Uzoagba, Eziama, Amakohia, among other communities face erosion challenges.
“There is therefore the need for intervention by federal and state governments in the environmental challenges facing our area.”
