In Igbo-land, when strange things happen, strange questions are asked. If a visitor who is familiar with Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State can recall what he/she saw from 2015-2021 questions will definitely arise.
During Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu’s campaign for 2015 gubernatorial election, there is one slogan that nobody will forget, which is; “Nwa-Aba ga aru Aba.” That is to say, it will take only an Aba man to fix the decayed infrastructure in Aba. For clarification sake, the city of Aba currently cuts across five LGAs. Aba South, Aba North, Ugwunagbo, Obingwa and Osisioma. That one is from any of these LGAs does not make one “Nwa-Aba.”
It only takes he/she who is born and bred in Enyimba City to qualify to be addressed as “Nwa-Aba” whether he/she is from any of those indigenous LGAs that make up Aba or not. By all standards, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is “Nwa-Aba”, and the expectations of all those born and bred in that commercial city is that one of their own will fix the city.
Are their expectations met? Are there efforts to meet those expectations? Are those efforts yielding any fruit? Is the city wearing a new look? These and more are questions begging for answers.
A resident, Engr. Julius Umunna, said that Dr. Ikpeazu took over as Governor in 2015, there are nine major roads everybody were expecting changes to come into, out of those nine roads, none can be said to have been completely changed to wear the expected new looks.
“Those roads includes: Faulks road (now known as Sam Mbakwe road), Ohanku road, Obohia road, Omuma road, Ngwa road, Aba-Owerri road, Port Harcourt road, Eziukwu road and Cemetery road.
“Out of the nine above mentioned roads, none has been completed and commissioned since 2015. Vehicles are plying Faulks road, but the road is uncompleted. The drainage system channeled at Ifeobara Basin, to take away storm water is not working. The job is not done in terms of flood channeling.
“However, there are absolutely no assessable roads inside Aba after six years of being in charge. Few days of rains have revealed to many residents that there is still long way to go. How can a newly constructed road still get submerged after every drop of rain? When the Wednesday last week’s rain started dropping, I witnessed rain for the first time at Osusu road after its reconstruction.
Initially I was full of confidence that at least, I will drive my car under the rains smoothly straight to Ama-Ogbonna, hitting to the railway and straight to Azikiwe road. I was shocked that within 20 minutes of rain, the newly reconstructed Osusu road that has very newly built deep drainages on both sides, filled up and got submerged like a street at the bank of a river.
“Faulks road is still flooded after every drop of rain as it used to be. The only difference from before is that it was dualized and made motorable when there is no rain. Aba-Owerri road has perpetually being under construction for six years now. The most unfortunate thing so far is that the new drainage being put in place is yet to even touch all parts of the road after six years. It has been a cut and join job for six years.
“As for Eziukwu road, the case is the same. Some parts completed and commissioned while another phase is still under construction. Ngwa road is seriously under construction and a commendable work is ongoing there right now.
“Port Harcourt road, Ohanku road and Omuma road are under construction, but the pace of the work is frustrating many residents especially that of Port Harcourt that has been under construction since 2018. Nothing is yet to start at Obohia road,” the engineer submitted.
Umunna said that above points does not in any way take anything away from the efforts of the Okezie Ikpeazu led administration in trying to fix Aba. He stressed that one is left confused that with all the efforts for the past six years, none of those important roads are completely reconstructed and commissioned, adding that the expectations of his likes are still high that the end will be better than the beginning under Ikpeazu.
Another resident, Nze Festus Odidika said that everything seems to be on standstill notwithstanding the obvious efforts being made in the past six years.
“One may ask, has Ikpeazu completed some roads in Aba, the answer is yes, but the impact is not felt seriously because none of the major roads in Aba is completely in a good shape for both rainy and dry season.
“I give it to Ikpeazu, he completed the reconstruction of Ukaegbu road, Ehere road, Umuola road, Egege street, Ebemma street, Emelogu road, Omini drive, Milverton Avenue, Osusu road, Ojike Lane, re-asphalted Okigwe road and is still doing more.
“However, there are absolutely no assessable roads inside Aba after six years of being in charge. Few days of rains have revealed to many residents that there is still long way to go. How can a newly constructed road still get submerged after every drop of rain? When the Wednesday last week’s rain started dropping, I witnessed rain for the first time at Osusu road after its reconstruction.
“Initially I was full of confidence that at least, I will drive my car under the rains smoothly straight to Ama-Ogbonna, hitting to the railway and straight to Azikiwe road. I was shocked that within 20 minutes of rain, the newly reconstructed Osusu road that has very newly built deep drainages on both sides, filled up and got submerged like a street at the bank of a river.
“Luckily for me, I packed my car inside my brother’s compound close to our town union hall where we held an emergency meeting for an event at home. I had to wait for one hour after the rain to at least see how to drive out. As I speak to you know, I’m still shocked this happened and is happening in newly constructed Osusu road.
“I can’t really explain it. Does it mean the drainages aren’t emptying anywhere? I was very shocked to see such. What’s happening in this state? Do we just love making mockery of ourselves here?
Mr. Jehoshaphat Ezechukwu said he finds it difficult to explain why Port Harcourt road, Ngwa road, Ohanku road, Omuma road and other major roads are still under construction while Ikpeazu does not even have full two year before he leaves office.
“I don’t understand. When people say, Governor Ikpeazu has constructed roads in Aba, I can’t help but wonder where the roads are because all major roads that were bad are either halfway worked or still as they were.
“Ngwa road is under construction, Omuma road is still at drainage stage, Cemetery road is there under construction, Ohanku is under construction, nothing is happening in Obohia road, Port Harcourt road is just there, so, what are the names of those roads this government has completed?
“Look at what they’re doing at ABSUTH road? Honestly, I don’t understand whether all Nigeria’s problems are domiciled in Aba? I’ve noticed the state government is currently touching Aba-Ikot-Ekpene Highway which is a Federal road, and I commend them. That is what we have been expecting.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the government has done nothing, but my problem is that the same suffering we were passing through is still there. In fact, it seems to have increased. Every morning and evening, the gridlock we witness will make you think free cars were distributed to all residents. But the problem is that everyone is struggling to make use of the few motorable roads while perpetual construction works are ongoing in many.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying the government has done nothing, but my problem is that the same suffering we were passing through is still there. In fact, it seems to have increased. Every morning and evening, the gridlock we witness will make you think free cars were distributed to all residents. But the problem is that everyone is struggling to make use of the few motorable roads while perpetual construction works are ongoing in many.”
An impeccable source at Abia State Ministry of Works told News Echo that inasmuch as the complaints of residents are genuine, the government is not relenting in its efforts to make Aba lively again.
“I know most of them will want us to rush Port Harcourt road, Obohia and Ohanku with same speed applied at Ngwa road, but that’s not possible. Those three roads including will always go with the pace of the flood disaster control mechanism been carried out around Umuagbai by NEWMAP.
“Everybody knows an underground tunnel is being constructed around that area to handle flood around the entire flood prone Ndiegoro axis. As for Osusu road that’s receiving complaints about flood, I don’t think the road has been properly channeled.
“It’s like it will be properly channeled through Cemetery road and even Omuma road has a role to play on it. Initially, I thought it’ll go through Okigwe road channel, but I have got to make properly enquiries to ascertain the new plan.”
