By Okey Maduforo Awka
Over 1600 buildings have been so far saved from being submerged by flood disaster this year at Agu Awka in Awka South local government area of Anambra state following the re-construction of a 15 km road in the area by the state government.
Within the last three years the Book Foundation – Unizik – Immigration road has remained a death trap for residents and road users in the area hence leading to the submerging of over 1,600 buildings.
It was equally gathered that the hopeless situation of the said road has had led to most residents in the area to relocate to other parts and f Awka Capital City.
According to the Secretary of Awka South local government area Mr Peter Nosike Uyanwune who represented the Chairman Prince Chinedu Okafor ;
“I am overwhelmed with joy and we are not surprised about that because Mr Governor sticks to his words and this is exactly what he has done”
“This road during raining seasons is always flooded and a lot of uncountable buildings have always been submerged by flood and as you can see the buildings have been saved by the construction of this road and many lives have been saved due to this recent development” he said.
Also speaking the Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA ward 8 who commissioned the road project Chief Nathan Obikwelu noted that;
“This particular road has been the sick baby of this area and before now vehicles cannot pass through this road and it has been a problem for the commercial tricycle riders and other motorists and road users”
“This ward is the ward of Gov Charles Soludo, the Deputy Governor and all the political appointees and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Awka Capital City Development Authority ACTDA Chief Ossy Onuko had to make a case for us before the governor and today it is a reality and you can see celebration everywhere”
Chairman of Okada operators in the area Mr Mohammed Audu said ;
“I have been in Awka for about twenty five years now and this road has been a challenge to road users and especially commercial Okada and Keke operators”
“People are afraid of using this road because you must visit the mechanic or panelbeater everyday and that is a lot of money for us ”
“But today all those things are over and we are greatful to Gov Charles Soludo for working on this road”
Councilor for Agu Awka ward 8 Mr Olisa Nwabunia described the commissioning of the road as a dream come true adding that it has indeed reaffirmed the presence of government at the ward promising to deliver the area in the coming election.
The Vice Chairman of Awka ward 8 Mrs Onyeka Uchegbu called for the construction of bombs on the road in order to protect the road from being damaged by heavy duty vehicles.
