Ukpo Erosion Site will be ready soon---Obiano , as gully erosion set to cut off Nkpor-Nnobi road

www.odogwublog.com reports that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has re-assured that  the erosion challenge at Akpu Village, Ukpo, in Dunukofia Local Government Area will be tackled within one month.

Obiano who visited the erosion site weekend observed that the erosion is threatening to cut the Abba-Ukpo bypass into two.

He also observed that construction of retaining walls has been ongoing to check the challenge which was allegedly caused by improper termination of drainages.


 Obiano who noted that fund will be released immediately for the intervention work, said work has been ongoing at the site at a moderate pace due to paucity of funds.

The Governor pointed out that his administration is presently intervening in many erosion sites, constructing roads and meeting other responsibilities without receiving any assistance from the Federal Government and assured that his government will not allow the challenge to escalate further.

He appealed to the Federal Government to release the funds owed the State on its repair of Federal Roads across the State to enable him intensify work across the various projects he is handling.

The Member representing Dunukofia Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Mr Lawrence Ezeudu said the Governor's visit to the site had gone a long way to reassure the people of government's commitment towards their welfare, noting that aside the threat to life which the gully challenge constitutes, it had also cut off access to major Markets in the area.

The President-General of Ukpo community, Mr Vincent Oyilagu thanked the Governor for his promise to address the challenge.

A resident of the area, Mrs Bridget Oba, harped on the need for urgent government intervention on the site as they now live in constant fear and anxiety due to the challenge.

Meanwhile, gully erosion has severed Nkpor-Nnobi Road, a major road which links Onitsha and environs with Nnobi, Nnewi and other parts of Anambra South.
The road was built during the Dr Chris Ngige’s administration.
The gully erosion is few metres from the Ideani junction end of the busy road on the Nnobi bound lane.
Following the development, motorists queue from both directions to take their turn in what looks like a “walk on a precipice”.
One lane of the road has already collapsed while that existing is under serious erosion threat.
A motorist, Mr Joel Nnodum, who works for a popular transport company on that route, said the road had become a nightmare for motorists since two months ago.
Nnodum said vehicles usually ran into themselves, especially at night, noting that it was more dangerous for those who were not familiar with the road.
He said that the development was a dilemma because there were no alternative routes to easily access the area.
“My brother, it is a pity that this quality road which we have used for over 13 years have been destroyed by this massive erosion and the road has collapsed.
“This road connects the entire Onitsha and Idemili to Nnobi, Nnokwa, Nnewi, Aguata and most of Anambra south.
 “It is a dangerous route to drive on now, you can see it is at a sharp bend and these glasses on the ground are from accidents, we pray the worst will not happen,” he said.
Another motorist, Greg Unadike, who described the site as a disaster, called on Anambra government to urgently take steps to salvage the road.
Unadike said the colossal damage could have been prevented if flooding was nipped in the bud.
“This is a clear case of poor maintenance, the environment and works ministries could have prevented this if they were proactive, now see the damage, it requires a huge sum of money to fix,” Unadike said.
Reacting to the development, Mr Marcel Ifejiofor, the Commissioner for Works, said the government was aware and that it was working on how to remedy the situation.
“We are working on it, the contractor will soon move to site,” he said.
Ukpo Erosion Site will be ready soon---Obiano , as gully erosion set to cut off Nkpor-Nnobi road Ukpo Erosion Site will be ready soon---Obiano , as gully erosion set to cut off Nkpor-Nnobi road Reviewed by Unknown on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 Rating: 5

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