Delta monarch laments deplorable Otolokpo-Ute Elugwu road

 .We are cut off from other communities, he says

An appeal has gone to the Delta State government to open up the road linking Otolokpo and Ute Elugwu communities in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.

The four-kilometre road was abandoned by previous local administrations, making journeys on the route by bicycle now extremely difficult.

Making the appeal during the New Yam festival in Otolokpo community, the traditional ruler of the kingdom, Obi Collins Alioma Ezenwali, said the area has been cut off from several communities in that corridor, as travelling on the road has remained an eyesore for over 10 years.

According to him, to access communities such as Ute Elugwu, Ali Nwachokor and Egbudu Akan, residents of Otolokpo have to detour through Ute Okpu and Alohen before connecting Ebu-Eno in Ute Elugwu.

“The road has closed up. Gully has divided several sections of the road. Few years ago, people from neighbouring communities travelling to our community and Umunede came through this road, but today, it is no longer so.

“Despite our efforts to carry out remedial work, the situation got worse, due to the gully menace that has brought tears to the road users.

“The journey, which ordinarily takes about 20 minutes in the past, now takes several hours. All the roads connecting Ebu-Eno (four road junction) are motorable except the one from Otolokpo.

“This sad development is affecting our commercial activities. Farmers find it difficult to transport their produce. Some have even abandoned their farms. Motorcycles no longer ply the road; it is also difficult for bicycle riders.

“Traders who hitherto came to the market in Otolokpo from communities in the Ute Elugwu axis are cut off,” Ezenwali said.

The monarch commended the government for completing the Boji Owa-Otolokpo road but appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to extend it to Ute-Elugwu, Egbudu-Akan and Ejeme.

“The road from Boji Owa to this community leads to Ute Elugwu and to Egbudu Akan and beyond. Unfortunately, the tarred road ends by the Grammar School at the end of the town. The state government can take it up from there so as to bring relief to commuters and residents. That is our appeal.”

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Obi Ezenwali also called for the construction of the Otolokpo-Ute Ogbeje road, which has deteriorated in recent years, adding that movement on the road to Akumazi, Obior, and other communities has been impeded.

He commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the installation of solar lights in the seven communities of the kingdom.

The monarch said the new yam festival is a time to appreciate the God for a bountiful harvest and showcase its rich cultural heritage.

He, however, highlighted the challenges posed by herders in the area, urging security personnel “to save our farmers from the hands of herdsmen who invaded our land.”