By Wisdom Nwedene, Abakaliki
… five people reportedly died already this year as Community begs Governor Nwifuru for help
The people of Okaleru community in Igwebuike, Ugbonaa Azu-Orie Achi under Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi state have cried out to the state Government for help concerning their roads and welfare.
In a recent investigation and visit, it was discovered that the Community despite producing high profile individuals have lagged behind in basic amenities(Electricity, commutable roads, bridges, schools, etc) as it is alleged that the Local Government Chairman withholds funds that comes to them.
During a visit to the Okaleru community by our correspondent, the villagers revealed the state of their welfare stating that they have to halt every activity including school and farming whenever the rainy season approaches.
Being a major connection between the villagers and their farms as well as schools, the Akadoro bridge located at the intersection between the Etiegidigwe village and Igwebuike, Ugbonaa Azu-Orie Achi, village all in Ezza North; pose as a limitation to the day to day activities of the residents.
The bridge is also a major access to Afor Izzo for people of Umuezeokoha, Umuoghara, Orizor, Abakaliki but the people of Ezza North do not get to cross it whenever they want for fear of not getting through alive or getting injured as at least five people were said to have lost their lives only this year.
Speaking with our correspondent, the villagers stressed on the limitation to their farming activities and access to the Community Primary School Okaleru, Ugbonaa Onu Orie Achi and their secondary school which happen to be the only schools in the village.
According to an elderly resident, whenever it rains, the river becomes over flooded and children have to halt their school to avoid getting drowned as they have to cross it to reach their educational centre. Also, parents have to pause their farm activities if it requires crossing the river as there is no way to get through.
During the visit, a resident of the area who wants to remains anonymous over fear of the unknown went ahead to present a log of wood which the villagers invented as an aid to enable them to cross the river.
However, they also disclosed that the wood sometimes gets carried away by the overflowing of the river and they have to always carry it out when it’s dry season and back again when it’s rainy season.
According to them, several villagers have drowned in the river while others have gotten injured on several occasions.
On the other hand, the major road to the village has posed another challenge as bikers and few car owners can not easily commute.
Sadly, however, the Ezza North happens to be the origin of some prominent people in the state.
So, the people of Okaleru community in Igwebuike, Ugbonaa Azu-Orie Achi under Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi state have cried out to Hon. Joseph Nwaobasi (member House of Rep, Ezza North/Ishielu), Senator Ken Ezeh(Senator representing Ebonyi Central), and Governor Francis Nwifuru(governor, Ebonyi State); to come to their aid and make life a little comfortable for them.
The bad roads, the dirty water they consume, the unabridged river, amongst others, have cost them the lives of their loved ones and limited them in several ways.
They also pleaded with the Chairman of Ezza North LGA, Chief Ogodo Ali Nome to temper justice with Mercy and release any funds allocated to them by the government to make life easier for them.
