ONE INIQUITY ANAMBRA STATE URBAN DEVELOPMENT BOARD (ASUDEB/ANSCDA) MUST NOT COMMIT!

A State Capital is unarguably believed to be the arena of infrastructural excellence. A capital is an arena full of architectural prowess. A city one will not pass across transversely or latitudinal without taken time to admire the brain-child of the Board empowered by law to see that the conception, fertilization, birth, nurture and development of any civil or architectural work is of world-class prototype. Or if worse come to worse it could resemble the nearest and admirable setting of another State Capital.

With the caliber of people Anambra State was blessed with, the quintessential prowess we demonstrate in all fields of endeavour should and must by necessity reflect in our Capital – Awka. Anambra State made Enugu State capital what it is today! There is no argument about that. Those staff in old ASUDEB before State was created were virtually those who returned on State creation. From Independence lay-out to length and breadth of Enugu Capital demonstrated the child of our brain, the product of our endeavour and the materialization of our incentive genius. I will not forget New lay-out the current capital of Ebonyi.

It would sound incredible that when there were barriers like distance and meagre resources at the table of these staff that these aforementioned areas were sincerely planned. Now, ASUDEB was at the arm length of the ‘Capital’ that Awka was a mess and disappointment to us all. I will not go far in this article. But let me quickly point out the  very one iniquity that ASUDEB must not commit at this point in time in Zik’s avenue.

Every reasonable and sensible Board responsible for developing infrastructure in the State knows that there are spots that ought to be kept for Government utilities purposes such as Car parks, garages, polo parks and modern bus stops etc. It is hoped and believed that Works and ASUDEB should be partners in progress but what is seen in Anambra is brood of vipers in majority. Corruption in the highest order is the bane of what made Awka and metropolis look like a undeserved ghetto.

One iniquity I want His Excellency to stop is what I saw as a malpractice. At the junction of Works road at the Zik’s avenue, neighbour to Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, former dustbin yard before Mr. Peter Obi changed it to a beautiful junction, the only remaining junction free from any form of infrastructure, empty land that remains as long as Zik’s avenue is concerned is being built filling station. There is already a filling station opposite this piece of land.

The question is, where the Church members and visiting days of Federal Science and Technical College, Awka park their cars during the Visits? When the Works Ministry dock yard environment hosts several offices just as Presbyterian and different Churches are springing up, where would Bus stop be in that axis? It is very unfortunate and sad that ASUDEB/ANSCDA decided to sell our heritage and what should have been the beauty and recovery of our lost glory of Enugu Town and New layout of Ebonyi capital.

It sounds ridiculous for one to be pointing accusing fingers on this or that Governor that he did not make Awka look like a befitting Capital as if He is the ASUDEB/ANSCDA. It is only a fool would point accusing finger on any Governor Anambra has produced. It sounds stupid to tell someone “NO PARKING, NO STOPPING, NO WAITING” without being reasonable to direct such fellow where to “PARK, STOP and WAIT”.

Let me quickly accuse the ASUDEB/ANSCDA again that they decided to corrupt the system and ruin the Capital from having a “city-scape” in aerial and ground setting. The meters distance every structure ought to have by necessity without compromise did not and does not exist in Awka in any street. It is ridiculous that all the infrastructures were built on the road. Don’t forget too quick that when Awka was made the State Capital, that Awka was relatively over 80% virgin. This is because Enugu/Onitsha express road was what we call Zik’s avenue.

Why should we not draw the attention of His Excellency to look into this and stop the work going on and quickly make that place a park/garage and bus stop? Look at the horrible loss of Keke Rider beside the Prison last month. Simply because he stopped to pick or drop someone, Prison Warder claimed his life and shot him dead. Had it been small-small parks were provided just as you would see in Enugu and Port-Harcourt where 15 meters were given from the centre of the roads to the wall of any building to provide space for these facilities. Physical planning zero!

ASUDEB/ASCDA sold all the parks in Awka axis and made the entire street to be the parks and garages. You know the story more than me. Now touts and hooligans are using it to deal with the masses. This would have been a situation that should have been saved if they were not corrupt in their practices. Would they say it is utility vehicle that made them not to work? How about Nibo junction in front of their office in Amawbia? Go and see the plight of people going to Umuawulu, Nibo and Mbaukwu how they suffer to enter their buses. No designated slots for parking, stopping and loading. That feeling station should have been a park which should have served people in that axis as parking slots, garage, and bus stop. Government could generate revenues as usual when vehicles are parked there or make it toll levies and bring orderliness to the system.

Go through all the streets in Awka, you will weep for yourself. Look at Dike Park that was Polo Park as at then. Was it me that sold it and they built inside it. Where is our parks that existed after creation? Let me not go far for now. Please every concerned authority should come to the aid of our future and stop with immediate effect the building of filling station that ought to be made park, garage, and bus stop. It would be so ridiculous to allow this iniquity to occur! Oh I wish Enugu was in Anambra! Look at how many Federal, State and Private establishments in Enugu town and beautifully positioned! Is Anambra State cursed or are we the cause?

Ikebuife Mmadubukoan wrote in this piece from Eke Awka.