Nnewi town, one of the commercial cities in Anambra state is currently living like sheep without shepherd.
WITHIN NIGERIA checks reveal that major roads in the city are currently in dilapidated condition.
Every year, especially during rainy season, many of these roads become deathtraps for virtually all the road users.
In any case, Prince Sino Ajuluchukwu, one of the residents of the town told WITHIN NIGERIA that the situation has become so much disheartening as it is appalling.
According to Ajuluchukwu, one will be disappointed to see the roads in the city is so much bad.
“A first time visitor to Nnewi will definitely be disappointed, as he/she will be expecting to see impressive infrastructures. The reverse has always been the case.
“The neglect on Nnewi by the successive governors of Anambra state is running into decades. The question is ‘why Nnewi’? Why a city that’s very economically vital to the state? Why a city that generates huge revenues for the state?”
Explaining further, he said that “in other states and countries, cities with more economic importance are given more attention, because it’s when economy is booming that jobs are created, taxes are generated, the youths get engaged, reducing social vices, unemployment, poverty and crime.”
Appealing to the state government, he stressed “it’s about time the government of Anambra state, governor Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo changes this ugly norm of neglecting an important city like Nnewi and give the city the deserved attention, because it pays the state more to do so.”
Another resident, Okeh Onyekachi told WITHIN NIGERIA that the situation is very unbearable.
“We are living in total neglect. Nnewi is supposed to be Japan of Africa where infrastructure development is given priority attention.
“While I commend in the most explicit terms Senator Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah for the work he is doing to secure the city of Nnewi and its environments with his randomly mounted and operational security camera, from criminals, we must also not stop pleading with Odenigbo Aguata, Charles Chukwuma Soludo who is a renowned academic and the Executive Governor of the State, who understands the impact of good roads to the commercial city of Nnewi’s revenue generation, to please help fix Nnewi roads.
“For the sake of the voters whom you would need their votes here in two (2) years to come, please address this reproach to Nnewi people.”
A commercial motorist along Uruagu Nnewi road, Benjamin Igwilo told our reporter that “ motorists are the most affected people in this problem. Our vehicles always break down due to this bad road.”
According to him, “this road has been this bad for the past ten years. Every election period, these politicians will come here to promise us heaven and earth only to abadon us when they were elected into office.”
Appealing to the state government, Igwilo stressed that “government of Anambra state should come to our aid as fast as possible to prevent further dilapidation and possible loss of life.”
However, all efforts to get the reaction of the state Commissioner for works, Ifeanyi Okoma proved abortive as his number was always busy.
In any case, the state governor has promised to fix the roads, stressing that that is part of his priority project in the next one year.
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