Residents and motorists in various parts of Abia State have appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate several deteriorating roads, lamenting that their deplorable condition has continued to cause hardship, disrupt commercial activities and hinder transportation.
The affected roads include Ndoki Road, stretching from Obehie Roundabout and connecting communities in Ukwa East Local Government Area, Obuohia Road in Ugwunagbo, Umuojima Road in Osisioma, Ekeakpara and other adjoining roads.
Speaking during an assessment of some of the affected roads, residents expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as years of neglect, calling on the authorities to address the worsening infrastructure challenges in their communities.
A commercial motorcyclist operating along Ndoki Road in Ukwa East lamented the difficulties faced by commuters, motorists and other road users, saying the condition of the road had made transportation increasingly challenging.
He appealed to the government to urgently reconstruct the road, stressing that residents had endured enough hardship.
“We cannot use this road comfortably. We are suffering here. We appeal to the government to come and construct the road so that it will be motorable. Vehicles ply this road, and the hardship is too much.
“This time around, we will support any government that will come to our aid and construct our roads,” he said.
Similarly, a resident, Osondu Emelogu, who spoke on the condition of the road around Obehie Roundabout, said the situation had persisted for more than three years, negatively affecting businesses and economic activities in the area.
According to him, residents and business owners had continued to struggle with the poor state of the road, which has made movement difficult.
“We need the government to come and do this road for us. For over three years now, we have been suffering because of the condition of this road. It has equally slowed down business activities.
“We have been managing it, and it is giving us serious problems. We want the government to come to our aid,” he appealed.
Residents also raised concerns over Obuohia Road in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, describing it as severely neglected and almost impassable.
They said the road had remained in poor condition for years despite serving several communities and providing access to the Ugwunagbo Local Government Headquarters.
The residents questioned why a road leading to the headquarters of a local government area should be left in such a deplorable condition, urging the relevant authorities to intervene without further delay.
At Umuojima Road in Osisioma Local Government Area, another resident, Ogbonna Kanu, described the road as increasingly difficult to navigate, particularly for motorists and commercial transport operators.
Kanu explained that the road serves as an important link connecting Ukwachi and other routes, including Ekeakpara, as well as communities and areas leading to the residences of some prominent personalities in the state.
He called on the government to rehabilitate the road, noting that its deteriorating condition had continued to restrict movement and impose additional hardship on residents.
The residents further identified Ekeakpara and other adjoining roads as requiring urgent attention, warning that continued deterioration of the infrastructure could further undermine economic and social activities in the affected communities.
They appealed to the Abia State Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of the identified roads, stressing that good road infrastructure remains essential to economic growth, business development, efficient transportation and the overall wellbeing of residents.
