By Princely Onyenwe, Imo
Early hours on Monday, the 19th day of October in the year 2020, the Youths of Nekede in Owerri West local government area of Imo state, trooped out en-masse to block the only link bridge that connects Umuoma, Umudibia and Umualum Ancient Kingdom, Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Ihiagwa community, located at number 12 bus stop old road Nekede.
9News Nigeria was live at the scene to confirm the reason behind the blockade by the youths and the possible steps to attract the attention of Imo state government and the Federal ministry of Ecological Fund to come to the rescue of the people of Nekede.
Speaking @the scene, the President General of Umuoma Nekede Uchenna Nwaneri reiterated the fact that the bridge is in its collapsing state and frowned at the delay of government presence at the site. He has earlier stated that if nothing is done immediately to avert such danger posed on the users of the bridge, the road which serves as a link to various communities will be grounded.
The Youths bemoan the state of danger this bridge has posed to its users and protest against its delay of government intervention to rescue Nekede people and its road users.
They however regretted the state of NAZE/NEKEDE/IHIAGWA road that has continuously caused heavy vehicular traffic on the Miri Nkwoahia bridge.
Recall that a series of documentary reports have gone to the hearing of Imo state government which had attracted the Deputy Governor of Imo state Prof Placid Njoku to inspect the bridge.
Also at the inauguration of constituency projects in Owerri west,member representing Imo East in the House of Senate, Distinguished Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi had on the 8th day of August 2020, visited the same bridge and made wonderful promises to assist Nekede people to reinforce and to bring a long lasting remedy to the bridge and to make the road motorable, but none was redeemed till date.
Few months ago Daily Sun Newspaper and Whitepaper Newspaper were brought to the scene to confirm the state of dilapidation on the said bridge and these reports are verifiable.
Meanwhile, 9News Nigeria can authoritatively reveal the relentless efforts of the Nekede Federated Union NFU for possible assistance through official letters sent and received on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Ecological Fund.
Recently, there is clear evidence of remedial work going on through community efforts and still need strong supportive assistance from both the Federal ministry and the state government to rescue the ugly situation on the bridge.
In a related development, 9News Nigeria has pictured another danger gully erosion point opposite Imo State Zoological Garden. A recent investigative tour to the scene revealed that the Nekede old road may possibly be cut off before this rainy season by the pressure of the heavy gully erosion ravaging the area, if no drastic action is taken by the government.
The particular danger point is located directly at the end of the wall fence of the zoo from westend owerri axis which has turn to a dump site. It has posed a serious danger on the same link road while the bridge is about to collapse.
To corroborate this gesture, a popular Prophet in the area, Prophet Don-Daniel and an entertainment guru DJ Stone took to the streets of Naze/FEDPONEK/Ihiagwa road with hundreds of followers to ask Imo state government to hastily commence work on the roads to ease suffering of its users.
No doubt the house of assembly member representing Owerri West, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaeche in a radio broadcast ealier promised the people and users of both roads mentioned that His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodinma will do the road immediately as the raining season seizes.
At the time of this report, a call was put to the Traditional Prime Minister of Nekede, Nze Comrade Obinna Aharanwa, HRH MSJ Eke Ph.D, HRH Stephen Agumanu, HRH Lucky Ajoku, HRH Kingsley Ordu, HRH Merinini and they confirmed the bad condition of these roads and the collapsing link bridge in their area.
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9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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