Residents of Ozuoba, Rumukwachi, Ogbogoro, Egbelu and St John’s communities in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State have appealed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to continue the dualisation and repair of the major road linking to the communities.
The construction of the road by Governor Fubara led administration stopped due to the declaration of the six months emergency rule in the state.
The abandoned road project has affected commuters and businesses in the area.
The construction of the 5 kilometre Okania-Ogbogoro Road was awarded by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara at the sum of 6.7 billion naira with 40% down payment in April last year.
However, the dream of completing the project came to a halt with the emergency rule as the project was abandoned throughout the six month period.
This has led to most shops and businesses located along the dilapidated road to record poor patronage, while some lock up their shops, with few vehicles plying the road.
Additionally, Transportation fare is hiked due to the poor condition of the road as Ozuoba to Ogbogoro now costs N300 as against N200 while Ozuoba to St. John’s shifted from N400 to N600.
Chief Steve Wulsiri-Wolu, is a Traditional leader in the Ogbogoro community.
Together with comrade Stanley Chinda, a member of the community, they lament the loss of economic activities , evident in only a few motorists plying the road.
In spite of the deplorable condition of the road, tanker drivers have continued to ply the route, putting other road users at risk.
This is the concern of Nna Nvunda, Happiness Briggs, and Mrs. Gift,
For Mr. Peter Osu, a commercial bus driver, the deplorable state of the road has brought about waste of work hours.
His words: the road is very bad, it causes car depreciation, and a high level of fuel consumption”
The appeal of the residents to Governor Fubara is for him to complete the road project, as a matter of urgency, to avert deaths and destruction of property.
The residents are however optimistic that with the return of Governor Fubara , they will have cause to smile.
