The State Of Developed/Bad Road Network In Aguleri And Umueri

Aguleri a construction site while Umueri her neighbour is a dumping site!

BACKGROUND:

It is not news that Otuocha is historically occupied by Umueri and Aguleri as two predominant communities.

It is also not news that Otuocha as it is known today, is the headquarters of Anambra East LGA, hence her political symbolism.

It is important to also note going forward, that Anambra East being one of the 7 LGA that make up the Anambra North geopolitical zone became a beneficiary of the agitation for power shift to the zone.

And by Providence, the mantle of leadership fell in the hands of someone from Aguleri, one of the Towns in Anambra East Local Government Area and Omambla region as a matter of heritage.

Having highlighted the above without any ambiguity, it is therefore pertinent and very logical to state; that every community within these area should as a matter of fairy share be partakers of the dividends of good governance, which includes but not limited to Roads, Hospitals, Schools to mention but a few.

But the question begging for answers are; has this administration under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano done anything to show balance and impartiality in the distribution of our common resources? The answer is capital NO

Aguleri A Construction Site!

Umunnem ndi Anambra, I can tell you without mincing words that Aguleri the home town of Governor Willie Obiano has in the past 4 years turned into a huge construction site.

See photos below...

It is also arguable that the level of road construction that has taken place and currently taking place in Aguleri is equal to none in Anambra state including Awka the sate capital.

There is no day that passes by that you don't see Catapilars and heavy Tractor machines transversing all the nuks and crannies of Aguleri roads to the cheer of on-lookers!

As we talk, over 30 roads has been constructed in Aguleri and more are currently taking place. Since the emergence of Governor Willie Obiano for the second tenure in Office, all the link-roads in Aguleri are heavily under construction including the track roads with double drainages.

See photos below...

Umueri A Dumping Site!

One begins to wonder, since Aguleri and Umueri are close neighbours and even share common ownership of Otuocha town (at least from the current reality), it is only normal that Umueri side of the Otuocha town should receive corresponding attention the Governor has for the past 5 years given to the Aguleri side of Otuocha.

_~While works are going on in Aguleri, the excreters are being dumped in Umueri with reckless abandonment._

_~While Asphalted roads with double drainages are being constructed in all Aguleri, the floods and erosions are being channeled to Umueri hereby causing heavy damage in our roads and dear community._

A Cry For Help (SOS)

As we speak Umu Nnem ndi Anambra, the gully erosion currently happening in *Chief Patrick Metchie and Hon. Chief Fidelis Nzegwu Okoye Road, and other parts of Umueri community like the Oke-Ebo Estate all in Umueri is unprecedented. All the buildings in that road have almost been watched off.

See photos below...

The State Commissioner for Work, Engr. Marcel Ejiofor who  incidentally/unfortunately) is from Aguleri has either payed lip service to it or has acted nonchalantly after several calls and cries for government's intervention. Perhaps, he thinks Umueri as a conquered territory.

The other day, during the visit of Osodieme Wife of the Governor to Anambra East Local Government, this same Commissioner for Works announced to the cheering public that the road *from Eke-Nneyi Umueri to Umueze-Anam Bridge has been awarded*, but we never knew it was one of his political games because as I speak to you, *no road has been awarded*

It is pertinent to note however; that the two roads mentioned above, Chief Patrick Metchie and Hon. Chief Fidelis Nzegwu Okoye Roads are very strategic and should be part of governments priority projects.

*While Hon. Chief Fidelis Nzegwu Okoye represented the Anambra Central State Constituency in the old Anambra State House of Assembly (1979 - 1983), Chief Patrick Metchie was one of our leading lights*.
It is therefore very disherting to see very terrible gully erosion washing off these roads and His Excellency, the Governor of Anambra State who happens to come from that LGA doesn't care.

Apart from these two notable individuals whose houses are at the verge of being swallowed by terrible gully erosion, other houses around them are also being threatened by this ravaging gully erosion, *the entire people  this two Streets will have to relocate from their ancestral homes if nothing very urgent is done before the next raining season.*

It is even more regrettable and  very annoying that this gully erosion pervading these two roads in Umueri *developed as a result of the massive Road CONSTRUCTION going on in Aguleri* who are living on the top-hill, while Umueri is living on a sloppy area thereby placing Umueri at the receiving end of all the flood waters from Aguleri.

See photos below...

We must also place on records, that Umueri community has never before witnessed this terrible gully erosion washing off our roads, but, we have been forced to live with it for the past 3 years as a result of the numerous road constructions in Aguleri which makes flood waters flow down to Umueri in large volume.

Before now, prior to the emergence of Governor Willie Obiano, Umueri and Aguleri did not have Asphaltic Roads and whenever the rain falls, the flood waters are usually not heavy because, they normally soaks down the earth thereby reducing the volume of flooding before it gets to Umueri.

But now, Umueri now suffers the resultant side effects of the developments from Aguleri, a heavily construction site while Umueri her neighbour is a dumping site for floods and excretes.

We hereby appeal to the Governor of Anambra state to show geniune concerns on other roads in Otuocha community *(especially those on the side of Umueri).*
Otuocha is one and therefore; should be seen from that angle and given a holistic approach.
The roads and other development of Otuocha community shouldn't by any way be one-sided because, visitors will always leave with bad impression when they come.

Ndi Anambra ekenem' unu ooo

By Ikechukwu Obinwanne
For:
Umueri concerned citizens