The people of Amaigbo, Amaoba, Ekeje and Nguzu villages in the Afikpo South South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have expressed joy over the commencement of construction work on the Amaoba/Ekeje/Nguzu road.
National Panel reports that the road recently became the only route connecting the lower and the upper people of the Edda clan of the council area after the Ebunwana-Ogwuma road was hit by the landscape. The road is usually the quickest and the easiest route linking the lower Edda to the upper Edda.
Recall there was a reported case of landslide in Ogwuma village, in the Umunna community of the council, on June 27, 2022, which led to the displacement of over 200 natives of the area. According to the natives, normal and agrarian life in the community became discomforting and irking since the incident took place.
But succour came the way of the community people after Governor David Umahi, in September, announced the release of over N1billion by the Federal Government to tackle the natural disaster.
Speaking on the road intervention in the area, on Saturday, the Chairman of Afikpo South LGA, Prince Chima Ekumankama, said the move was geared towards ameliorating the sufferings of people of the area.
An indigene of the area, Nwokedi Moses, said the gesture would usher the usual normal and agrarian life in the area.
He added, "I am happy. This is just what we have been praying for and, now God has answered our prayers. From what has happened today, we will begin to live our normal life and our people will now begin to easily move around the locality and visit their family, friends and relatives. Those who until now found it hard to take their farm produce to the market will begin to do so."
An All Progressives Congress stalwart in the state, Comrade Okenwa Uka, described the intervention on the road as timely.
He said, "With the intervention on the road today by the Executive Chairman of Afikpo South LGA, Prince Chima Ekumankama, the sufferings of the road users in Edda (Ebonyi State) and neighbouring states, have been reduced.
"Since the landslide at Ogwuma village, the road from Owutu to Nguzu remains the only one leading to upper Edda and other places outside the state. And since the rainy season, some section of the road has become so deplorable that motorists find it difficult to use the road without spoiling their vehicle, especially in Ezi-Edda, Amaigbo and Amagbo axis.
"In his effort to show the Edda people that the work will be done, and to replicate what his father, His Excellency Engr. David Nweze Umahi has done in the state, and the Chairman has intervened. His father, Umahi, doesn't shy away from work. Intervention on the road started today pending when the dry season will set in and then proper construction on the road will fully commence."
A teacher, Mrs Mabel Okonkwo, said the intervention on the road has brought relief to the natives, saying she was excited at the development.
She said, "This is good news. This is cheering news and this has brought some relief to us, who normally find it difficult to go to work from this part of the local government. I am excited."
