By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
As the dry season sets in, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo State, Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, has written to draw the attention of Governor Hope Uzodimma to the deplorable state of roads in Ngor Okpala LGA of the state.
Amajirionwu, the immediate past representative of Ngor Okpala state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, made the call in a trending open letter to the governor issued Thursday.
The former state legislator remarked that his clarion call on the governor is predicated on the role of the Ngor Okpala electorate in the re-election of the governor for a second term in office.
He expressed concern that the continued neglect of the dilapidated roads across the agrarian LGA and host council area to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport would negatively affect social and economic activities in the area.
According to him, many communities in Ngor Okpala LGA have been cut off
from their neighbours just as the entire council area has been displaced in the comity of economic viability due to massive deplorable network of roads.
The letter read, “Your Excellency, I write to most respectfully draw your kind attention on the state of affairs in Ngor Okpala, most especially on the dilapidating poor road network.
“Your Excellency, my advocacy and intervention here is predicated on the indisputable and glaring fact that Ngor Okpala is one of the major LGAs that played a significant and instrumental role on your re-emergence as the Governor of the state.
“The support galvanized by Ndi Ngor Okpala for your re-election was unprecedented and overwhelming. Since then, your support base in Ngor Okpala has remained deep-rooted and unflinching.
“Your Excellency, I am really concerned on the state and continued neglect of the road network in Ngor Okpala which has unfortunately resulted in the degeneration of our roads into a state of abject disrepair and irreversible deterioration.
“Ngor Okpala is an agrarian and gateway Local Government which requires an accelerated action in road network maintenance.
“Good road networks are not only crucial for economic development and growth, but they also provide essential social benefits. Access to employment, social, health, and education services make road infrastructure a vital public asset that must be maintained and expanded to stimulate economic and social development.
“The importance of efficient transportation systems in today’s interconnected global economy cannot be overstated. In order to create a pro-growth economic environment, it is essential to have physical infrastructure that facilitates the mobility of people, products, and information.
“As the world becomes increasingly networked, interdependent, and service-oriented, the ability to transact business efficiently, safely, and with ease is becoming more important for economic development, social cohesion, and cultural revival.
“It is unfortunate that today Ngor Okpala has been totally cutoff from the comity of social mobility and economic viability due to poor road networks. All the major roads in Ngor Okpala have become death trap as a result of poor maintenance.
“The Upe-Imerienwe-Umuekwune road which connects Ngor Okpala with Rivers state has remained in a state of deterioration for many years. The road has remained abandoned and totally neglected without any attention from government.
“The Nguru-Ihitte road, Okpala-Umuchukwu-Umuokoro road, Ihitte-Umukabia road, Ulakwo- Nguru-Umuneke-Ntu-Nkwoala Rd, Umuohiagu-Nnorie road and so many other major connecting roads in Ngor Okpala have continued to suffer total neglect and unfair abandonment. Government seems to give a dead eye to the poor state of roads in Ngor Okpala.
“Your Excellency, while I recognize the broad-spectrum repairs of roads been undertaken by your government, I wish to appeal to you that serious attention and consideration be given to major roads in Ngor Okpala.
“This will not only preserve road assets but also lowers future costs for citizens, road users, taxpayers, and road owners. And also prevent these assets from depreciating in value, provided that timeous investment is carried out.
“Your Excellency, I will advise that your government should begin to demonstrate esteemed commitment in creating an enabling environment for inclusive economic prosperity by prioritizing the maintenance and building of good road networks especially in Ngor Okpala.
“The existential plight of Ngor Okpala rural dwellers will experience significant improvement when they have access to markets in urban centers. When economic activities intensify in rural areas, rural-urban migration will decline, and by implication, crime rates in cities will decline, making our state safer.
“Therefore, it is imperative that your government fast-tracks the building and maintenance process to ensure that road infrastructure is in good condition to support economic growth and development.
*Finally Your Excellency, I have the reposed confidence that my submission will attract your attention, consideration and abstemious action without futher delay. Thanks for your understanding and anticipated follow-up action.”
