I was among those who gave thumbs up to the Okorocha Adminstration for considering it important to embark on massive construction, renovation and rehabiliatation of roads across the State.
Infact, I was impressed that roads, which are the economic arteries of the State were given considerable attention in the first two years of the Rescue Mission.
Much as there were outcries from some concerned Imolites that the roads were of low standard and quality, I refused to be swayed by the postulations of these naysayers. I did so because roads are significant economic instruments to boost and enhance economic development.
Indeed, Owerri metropolis benefited from the road revolution, but the quick return of potholes on most of the newly constructed roads remain a sore talking point.
It is more worrsiome when the roads which to a considerable extent has decongested traffic cogestion in some parts of the metropolis has began to deteriorate less than a year it was constructed or renovated.
Those conversant with road construction will quickly tell you that when pot holes begin to surface on a road without immediate remedy it is a step close to total deterioration. And I tend to agree with this on the basis that some of the urban roads are gradually having pot holes. This is not a happy tale.
I took a drive along Concorde hotel area, along the road overseeing Orient tv and the entrance point of the newly constructed gate facing the five star hotel. I observed that potholes are gradually eating up the road and the truth is, if urgent steps are not taken to rectify it, the road will rapidly deteriorate from bad to worse.
Another pothole also exist along Christ Church road, another major road that connects the busy wethedral road to ever busy and burtstling Ekeonuwa market. There are similar potholes on Douglas road, a road I will describe as the major artery road in Owerri metropolis.
From my observation, the pot holes are gradually returning and facilitated by the rains , thus making nonsense of the road revolution initiative which is one of the cardinal focus of the present adminstration.
I wept the day I observed the frightening condition of the road leading to Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri. It is a sorry sight as I wondered if that area remains part of Imo State. The road is in shambles as students of FUTO and Fed Poly have a herculean task to find their way in and out of Owerri town. Motorists have not been spared of the horrendous ordeal of that road as they navigate and meander on it cursing whoever is reponsible for the sorry state of the road.
That road is an eyesore and will soon turn to a death trap if urgent steps are not taken to repair it. I have been unable to decipher if the road belongs to the State or Federal Government. Some said the road was abandoned by a construction firm belonging to a prominent politician in Imo State. There are too many tales about the road that it appears somebody is either shying away from taking responsibility.
Few weeks ago, heaps of sand were poured on the road ostensibly just to cushion the ordeal of motorists and students who ply it daily. But this feeble effort has worsened as the rains has made the sands a nighmare for road users. The road is now worse to was in the past.
It has increased the nightmare of Students of higher institutions in the area such as Fedpoly and FUTO. And this is dangerous. It is stunning that our youths are pushed to the wall. It is a government that care less for it’s future generation that can afford to gamble with the youths.
What does it take to fix the road that connects two Federal Institutions. It is totally inconsequential if the road is within the purview of the state or Federal government. Such debate is inconsequential and baseless. What is paramount here is the well being of thousands of students who are seeking for knowledge in citadels of learning. They deserve better than their present ordeal.
