For every motorists plying the popular Okigwe/ Owerri road that leads to several local government areas of Imo state, Ekemele in Akabo, Ikeduru LGA is a spot that was synonymous with traffic gridlock due to the bad nature of the road, the area gradually became a nightmare to villagers and motorists plying the road on daily basis.
Ekemele was nearly impassable as motorists device alternative routes inside the surrounding communities in order not to be trapped by the go slow that keep people for 3-4 hrs or more, in some cases it was reported that some people spent the night on the road especially during the raining period when the rains creates a muddy pool of water without a drainage system that can collect the body of water. Vehicles literally swam on the muddy water while some also got stuck in the mud and broke down at the process.
Consequently, the road was virtually on the news for its dilapidated condition. It became imperative that something urgent needed to be done on the road to alleviate the plight of motorists and the villagers.
Okigwe/Owerri Road was originally constructed by the former governor of Imo state, Chief Sam Onunaka Mbakwe between 1978/1979.
As the road got bad, other administrations adopted some palliative measures to maintain the road like the ousted past governor of Imo state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha awarded the road contract for another palliative measure but the house member representing Ikeduru LGA in the Imo House of Assembly Hon. Uche Ogbuago insisted that the road needs a substantive approach that will stand the test of time.
Fortunately, the administration of the present governor of Imo state Sen. Hope Uzodimma started the full construction on the road that is expected to run from Ikeduru to Okigwe LGA
The construction started with the construction of a drainage system that will abate the impact but didn’t take care of the traffic gridlock.
On a tour by News Echo on the road, it was discovered that the once impassable road is now wearing a new look, the road has been asphalted from Okatankwo area reaching Amaraku and still extending to other LGAs.
Work is seriously ongoing but the one time horrible spot Ekemele is now a beauty to behold, now motorists can heave a sigh of relief as the traffic gridlock has disappeared automatically, motorists smile and can have their eyes close while plying on the road.
Speaking to Newsmen, the Traditional ruler of Abazu Akabo in Ikeduru LGA, HRH, Eze Dr Oliver Ubaferem Njoku JP, Abazuma 11 of Abazu expressed great delight on the ongoing massive road construction in Imo state especially the Okigwe/Owerri Road. He stated that the construction of the road is a prove that the state governor is working and is living to its name as a shared prosperity government.
He noted that as a traditional ruler, he does not believe in partisan politics but interested in anyone who develops the state and makes it better. He prayed God to sustain the effort of the governor especially for the construction to get to Okigwe as the governor promised. He equally disclosed that his community donated some parcel of lands for the drainage channel to support the government.
Also speaking, some of the motorists plying the road narrated their horrible experience on the road in the past but thanked God that the whole experience is now history.
The chairman of Okada riders in Ngugu and a community leader, Mr. Chris Oforji said he was feeling indifferent about the government but he’s happy about the ongoing road project, this he said has made it easy for them plying the road and pledged to support the governor, senator Hope Uzodimma in his second term agenda.
A business man, Mr. Obinna Dike from Mbano said the nature of the road in the past affected their business but he’s glad that the road is in good shape now and their business is thriving.
Also some Market women in Orie Akabo Market expressed delight that the road which was a major concern to them is now a sight to behold with drainage systems on the both sides of the road.
However, a particular village head in the LGA who expressed pleasure for the government remembering the road and appealed to the state governor to ensure the road construction is of a very good standard like other ones in the state and also prayed God to sustain the effort of the governor.
