The Ofeme community in Ohuhu, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, is in trouble as devastating erosion threatens the area.
In this regard, residents of the community have called for urgent intervention by the state government as erosion that is on the fast lane threatens their only link road.
The two-kilometre road in Umuezike village, which links the Umuda Ofeme, Ude Ofeme, and Micheal Okpara (Old) Road with the Ulonna farm settlement established by the then Eastern Nigeria Premier, Michael Iheonukara Okpara.
The farm settlement, which is capable of generating N10million revenue to the state monthly, but has been abandoned by the various state administrations due to no access road.
Churches, schools, health centres and residential buildings in the area are not left behind as they have been subjected to excessive agony of bad link roads, as all activities there have been at the lowest ebb.
Indigenes of the community, who narrated their ordeals, following the collapse of the road, described their experience as hellish.
They called on governments to support their efforts towards fixing the roadway abandoned for over 20 years.
According to a resident, Mr Oti Ikechukwu, “apart from the deplorable nature of the road, gully erosion had also eaten up a great portion of the road.
“If the government can construct drainage to salvage the situation, it will go a long way to secure the road,” he said, adding that the condition of the road poses a great danger to the community, especially during this rainy season.
The host traditional ruler, Eze Elijah Udoka lamented, “the road is impassable and so bad that we cannot go anywhere.
“As I speak with you now, my car is packed in my compound and I cannot go anywhere.”
He pleaded with the government at all levels, especially the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, to come to their rescue.
“We are happy with the way you are working in the state, especially over roads in Aba. Please remember us as we are trapped.
“We are facing economic hardship as our farmers cannot evacuate their farm products to the market. We cannot sell or buy. It is horrible,” the royal father pleaded.
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