The people of Avu, Obosima, Umunweaku communities in Owerri West and Ohaji / Egbema Local Government Areas of Imo State have sent a save our soul message to the Federal Government, and a call to the Imo State Governments for urgent intervention on the deplorable state of Avu to Ohaji /Egbema road.
Briefing newsmen at ‘Avu River’, the dangerous spot in the community, the Secretary-General of Avu Development Union, Mr Lasbrey Onuma, lamented over the deplorable state of their road.
The secretary flanked by a community leader Chief Bright Agu from Obosima observed that the Avu /Ohaji Egbema road constructed in 1977 during Military government, had provision for a borrow pit which the NDDC contractors would have sustained but failed due to unwillingness to pay compensations to Families/ Community.
He recalled the efforts made while he functioned as Co-ordinator Central Age Grade of Avu for more than five years that got him involved in the Processes of the 1977 Road Project.
The Avu leader regretted that successive administrations in Imo State had failed to consolidate on the road, making President Mohammad Buhari administration to re-award it to NDDC contractors about three years ago.
He urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to intervene and save the lives of the people of the locality.
Obama’s spokesperson, Chief Bright Agu in his submission, said that a pregnant woman lost her pregnancy at the Avu River as there was no road to ferry her to hospital in the night.
Chief Agu, a public opinion analyst and social commentator spoke about the implications of blind eyes of the government and oil companies operating in the area.
“Coming to Ohaji, Egbema, Asaa, Awara or Umunweaku is a nightmare as only big trucks can access through”, he said and appealed to oil companies to endeavour to show them, love, as they have not committed any sin having natural deposits in their place.
Adding his voice, the former chairman of NUJ, Imo State Council, Chief Fidelneke, said his community appeared to have been bottled as nobody could access the place.
Onyeneke, who is a community leader in Avu as well as a media consultant, expressed worries at the effects of Avu River on the socio-economic life of Imo People, especially peasants, whose sources of livelihood is farming, adding that they were cut off, prices of goods and services especially foodstuff continued to skyrocket.
He advocated for sustained dialogue of leaders in governance with Community and opinion leaders in peculiar cases like that of Avu River so as to find a solution.
Chief Onyeneke appealed to Oil companies and well to do individuals to show concern to burning issues, saying that the NDDC Contractors must come back now as families and communities were ready and willing to cooperate for mutual understanding and benefit.
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