The Obinze-Ihiagwa-Nekede road, a crucial conduit that enhances connectivity in one of Nigeria’s most vibrant regions, is in dire need of comprehensive rehabilitation. This road, pivotal for its economic, educational, and strategic significance, connects major arteries leading to Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, Uratta, Okigwe, Orlu, and Onitsha roads. It supports the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, the Nigerian Police Training School Nekede, and the Federal University of Technology Ihiagwa, Owerri, making it indispensable to the nation’s educational and security infrastructure.
Despite the obvious necessity for a durable solution to the road’s dilapidation, recent efforts by the Imo State government, spearheaded by Governor Uzodinma, have been insufficient for a project of this magnitude. The state’s initiatives, while commendable, underscore a glaring reality: the financial incapability of the state to engage A-class contractors who can undertake and sustain the comprehensive rehabilitation required. This financial constraint is not unique to Imo State but is a common challenge across various states, reflecting broader issues of resource allocation and fiscal capacity in tackling infrastructure projects of this scale.
The need for federal intervention is therefore not just beneficial but essential. The Obinze-Ihiagwa-Nekede road, designed as part of the visionary Owerri master plan under the Mbakwe government, now requires more than state-level attention; it requires national intervention. Past attempts to engage the federal government have highlighted bureaucratic and political challenges, notably the need for state government assent for federal takeover. These have, unfortunately, resulted in stalled progress, as seen with my 2014 attempt to bring federal focus to the road’s sorry state.
In 2014, I initiated moves to draw federal attention to the road’s disgraceful state, highlighting the need for federal takeover and rehabilitation. I took the matter to the then Deputy speaker of the house of representatives the Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who immediately rose to the occasion and contacted the then minister of works Omonlememen to discuss the possible federal government takeover of the rehabilitation of the road.
However, political maneuvers and bureaucratic hurdles set by the government of Rochas Okorocha at the time. stalled these efforts. The road’s condition has since worsened, marked by uncontrolled erosion and infrastructural decay, particularly in the Ihiagwa axis, underscoring the urgency for urgent federal intervention.
The road’s current condition exacerbates security concerns, limits economic potential, and significantly hampers the daily commute for students and staff of the adjoining federal institutions. The stretch of road through Ihiagwa to the bridge at Umuchima, marked by erosion and infrastructural neglect, urgently needs the expertise and financial backing that only A-class contractors can provide. However, such contractors require financial commitments that the state is currently unable to meet alone.
This scenario presents a compelling case for the federal government to step in. By taking over the project, the federal government would ensure that the road receives the attention it deserves from contractors capable of addressing both its immediate and long-term needs. This intervention would not only signify a commitment to improving the nation’s infrastructure but also act as a catalyst for economic and social development in the region.
Furthermore, federal involvement would alleviate the financial burden on the state, allowing for a more efficient allocation of local resources to other pressing needs. It would also provide a sustainable solution to the ecological challenges plaguing the Ihiagwa axis, ensuring the safety and prosperity of the communities it serves.
The plea to the federal government, therefore, is to recognize the strategic importance of the Obinze-Ihiagwa-Nekede road and to expedite its takeover and rehabilitation. This action will not only restore the road’s functionality but will also serve as a testament to the government’s dedication to enhancing Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape. The communities of Ihiagwa and beyond watch eagerly, hopeful for a swift and decisive federal response that will bring an end to years of inconvenience, insecurity and danger.
By Duruebube Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
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