Imo communities lament poor state of rural roads, call for government action

Some Communities in the 27 Local Council Areas of Imo State have lamented the poor state of roads in their respective areas and called on the State Government to take adequate measures to address the issue before they are cut off from the state.

They noted that, although the State Government is trying in road construction within the capital territory, much attention need to be given to rural roads which they said have become death traps for the people using them.

Speaking with our correspondent, a Community Head from one of the villages in Owerri West LGA, Nze Marcel Osundu, narrated that virtually all the roads in the Council area are in deplorable condition worsened by the rainy season.

He hinted that plying the roads is like embarking on a journey of death owing to serious accidents on them, even as road users unintentionally engage in violating traffic rules while trying to avoid major bad spots.

“Without mincing words, many roads in Owerri West Local Government Area and across other LGAs in Imo State remain in deplorable condition.

“While the Executive Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has made commendable strides in infrastructural development under his Shared Prosperity Administration, it is also essential that more visible efforts be directed toward rehabilitating rural roads across the State.”he said.

Mr Desmond Aririguzo, who resides in Umuguma, the Headquaters of Owerri West LGA, informed that lack of a proper access route from Owerri town to Umuguma is unbelievable and worrisome as the distance from the community to the State capital city is just a stone throw.

He lamented that businesses and other social engagements have been paralyzed owning to the bad nature of the roads.

Aririguzo added that the situation is turning to a point where it can no longer be overlooked, observing that it is the common man that bears the brunt of the whole thing.

“When you go to a shop to buy certain items you find out that the price of what you bought yesterday has been topped when you try to ask, shop owners will be quick to tell you that it because of the cost of transportation.

“The Owerri-World Bank-Umuguma Road, for instance, is particularly in an appalling state, despite being only five-minute drive from Government House, Owerri.

Thousands of residents of the state who live and conduct their daily activities along this axis endure significant hardship as a result of bad roads “he further lamented.

A provision shop owner, Lady Ihuoma Ekwueme told our correspondent that roads leading to rural areas are very bad and pose a great danger to road users who ply them on a daily basis.

She said that after coming to the city to buy goods, conveying them home becomes a tall task.

Lady Ekwueme said you must engage in strong bargain with commercial drivers before you will be able to convince them to transport your goods home under high price.

“So, in return we will add the transportation fare to the items to sustain our business.’she said.

Mr Moses Adielechi, a commercial farmer from Obitti in Ohaji- Egbema LGA of the State, cried out that perishable agricultural products are wasting away in the rural areas because of lack of means to convey them to the city.

He narrated that some buyers who managed to come over to purchase them virtually take them at a very cheaper price as farmers are willing to give them away to avoid wastage.

Adielechi, maintained that the only way Government can help farmers is by creating access roads that can enable them convey their farm produce to the potential buyers.

“Imo State Government is indeed working, but the urgency of rehabilitating and constructing major roads linking rural communities cannot be overlooked to the detriment of rural dwellers.he said.

The farmer, added that upgrading rural roads across the 27 LGAs would not only ease transportation but also stimulate economic growth and strengthen the transport sector.

The residents urged the Governor to prioritize and accelerate the rehabilitation of vital rural road networks to foster sustainable development and improve the quality of the roads.

Imo communities lament poor state of rural roads, call for government action