Dan Opara
Some motorists and residents living around the Njaba Bridge and Y-Junction Road at Nkume Community in Njaba LGA of Imo State, have expressed worry over the deplorable condition of the road.
Our Reporter who navigated to the area on Saturday, Oct.9th, 2021, gathered that the entire Njaba Bridge from Owerri-to- Orlu axis down to the popular Y-Junction at Nkume was in dear urgent need of repair to avoid loss of lives and property.
A community stakeholder, Comr. Anselem Anokwute, when contacted, said, ” Apart from the visible structural defect noticeable on the embankment of the collapsing bridge, the floor of the bridge was full of cracks and potholes.
He said, “The state of the roads at Awo-nmama / Okwudo road had become a serious challenge for motorists. Anytime it rains, the Y-Junction at Nkume road to Banana Junction and down to Orlu main town usually flooded, thereby making them difficult for cars, buses, and motorcycles to ply”.
Anokwute, who said he is from Umuduogba community in Njaba, seized the platform to remind Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma of his promise to fix the Awo-nmama/ Okwudo road within 18 months after assumption of his office as Imo Governor.
Also reacting to the ugly state of the Orlu road and its bad condition of the axis, Mr.Steve Uzechi, described the state of the road as a terrible situation that has caused predicaments to the people plying the road.
He said,” I don’t know exactly what the government is doing about the terrible state of this road. The role of a leader is to ensure the wellbeing of its citizens, but the reverse is the case as they do not care about the welfare of the people.”
A motorist at the Y-Junction, who pleaded his name not to be printed, said: “I don’t work during the rainy season because it might damage my vehicle, only motorcycles are fortunate enough to work during that time and they increase transport prices.
“Even on a normal day, I do repair my vehicle like twice a day because of how bad the road is.”
