By Izunna Okafor, Awka
It was a crystal demonstration of patriotism, community spirit and civic responsibility as the youths of Ebenator community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State trooped out en masse to intervene with palliative works on the Ọfara Umuonyeukpa Road, following the havoc recently wreaked by flood in the area.
The heartwarming initiative came in response to the devastating impact of persistent and heavy rainfall, which over the past few weeks has severely battered parts of the community, turning the Ọfara Road — a major access route — into a nightmare for residents and motorists alike. What was once a fairly motorable road gradually deteriorated into a hazardous pathway, riddled with gaping potholes, eroded surfaces, and trenches that threatened to completely cut off access if not urgently addressed.
The dilapidated state of the road was first brought to the attention of the community by a concerned indigene, Mr. Emeka Arinze, whose patriotic concern ignited a wave of responsive action from different levels and organs of the community leadership.
Heeding the clarion call, the youths — under the aegis of the Ebenator Youth Movement — mobilized themselves and stormed the affected area early Monday morning, armed with shovels, diggers, wheelbarrows, gravel, and pure zeal to salvage their land.
According to footage and updates obtained by this reporter from the scene, the damage on Ọfara Road was enormous and worsened by unchecked erosion. Portions of the road were not only riddled with potholes but had also started giving way, creating trenches that posed danger to commuters and passers-by.
Further investigation revealed that the root cause of the flooding was linked to a lack of proper drainage channels to handle the huge volume of stormwater descending from the higher elevations along the main road. This unchecked waterflow, compounded by indiscriminate dumping of refuse had led to stagnation and overflow, which in turn eroded the road and its environs.
Motivated by the desire to forestall further deterioration and protect lives and property, the youths took it upon themselves to create makeshift drainage channels, fill eroded portions, and restore some level of motorability to the road — an impressive feat accomplished with minimal external assistance.
Speaking on the exercise, the dynamic and visionary Youth Leader of the community, Comrade Chukwuka Akam, emphasized that the intervention was not just about patching up a bad road but was deeply symbolic of the youth’s readiness to be proactive stakeholders in the affairs of Ebenator.
“We are not here to merely complain or watch idly. We are here to be part of the solution. We want to key into the vision of the new town union leadership and show that the youths are ready to stand up for the development of our land. Ebenator Ga-Adịrịrị Mma is not just a mantra; it is a call to action, and we are answering that call,” he said.
While highlighting some of the root causes of the flood menace, Comrade Akam urged fellow youths and residents to be environmental watchdogs and to support sustainable practices that would protect the community’s ecosystem. He also commended those who supported the palliative project, either through financial contributions, materials, or physical presence.
Earlier in an interview with this reporter, the President-General of Ebenator Development Union (EDU), Mr. Chigozie Henry Anadi, hailed the action of the youths as highly commendable and indicative of a new dawn in the community. According to him, the move reflected a matured and responsible youth population ready to lead and be led.
“The level of patriotism shown by our youths is truly inspiring. They didn’t wait for the government or complain endlessly. They identified a problem and took deliberate steps to address it. That’s the spirit we need,” he said.
Mr. Anadi went further to commend the youth leadership for their foresight, noting that the community was reaping the rewards of choosing vibrant and committed leaders even among its youth. He pledged the support of the town union and promised to align the broader development agenda of the community with the efforts of the youth, even as he also lauded the state government’s phase-1 intervention on the erosion gully ravaging the community (popularly known as Ibo Ebenator), passionately appealing for the execution of the subsequent phases of the project ahead of the rainy season.
“I must also appreciate Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for his Phase-1 intervention on the Ebenator erosion menace.
“However, as the rains intensify, we once again call on His Excellency to expedite the subsequent phases and complete the remaining works to permanently safeguard our community, and many structures and institutions that are now under threat of the erosion gully,” the PG pleaded.
Also lending their voices to the conversation, the Chairman of Umuonyeukpa Development Union, Chief Emenike Ntukokwu (ably represented by his Vice, Mr. Jude Ezenwa), and the Umuonyeukpa Youth Chairman, Comrade Ifeanyi Ndubuisi, described the intervention as both timely and necessary.
They applauded the community youths for taking the initiative and expressed confidence in their ability to do even more, if supported. They equally called on public-spirited individuals, philanthropists, and the government to step in and support more enduring infrastructural works in the area, especially as the rainy season progresses.
They also reiterated the need for behavioral change among residents regarding environmental sanitation and responsible waste disposal, emphasizing that the problem of flooding could only be permanently addressed if everyone played their part.
Watch the videos below:
(Video credits: Emeka Arinze and Eugene Ezeiwuchukwu)
