The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has urged the Minister of Works, David Umahi and the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to urgently fix the deplorable state of the Ihiagwa-Naze-Obinze road.
OYC in a statement by its National President, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, on Monday, said that the deplorable condition of the road had become a source of hardship and security threats to students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri.
He noted that although the Ihiagwa-FUTO road is a state road connecting the Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa-Obinze corridor in Owerri West, it remains a link to the two federal institutions in Owerri.
“Although it is a state road, it connects two major federal institutions, Federal University of Technology (FUTO) and Federal Polytechnic Nekede. The Federal Ministry of Works under David Nweze Umahi should intervene, prove capacity to end the suffering of students,” Igboayaka stated.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council National President expressed worry that the road had suffered years of neglect, abandonment, and heavy dilapidation, resulting in vehicle damage, long travel times, and untold hardship for students, school staff, and residents.
He further raised concerns over rising insecurity around the area, saying the bad road has become a den for kidnapping, car snatching, and motorcycle theft.
Igboayaka called for collaborative action between the federal and Imo State governments, recommending drainage expansion toward the Ihiagwa market axis as well as bridge construction.
Ohanaeze Youth Council calls for urgent repair of Ihiagwa-Naze Obinze road