From Maureen Okafor, Enugu
The lawmaker representing Enugu West Senatorial district, Senator Osita Ngwu and member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constiuency, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, are neck deep in ensuring the collapsed portion of Oji-River to Awgu tarmac between Egwu Achi and Mmaku in Awgu Local government area of Enugu State is reconstructed to restore interconnectivity, commercial and economic activities among the towns and their neighbouring communities in Abia and Imo states.
The duo at the weekend paid an unscheduled visit to the site to confirm the mobilization of earth-moving equipment to the area by the contractor.
A fortnight ago, the duo visited the Minister of works, Engr. Dave Umahi, to plead for urgent intervention on the road. The caterpillars and other earth-moving equipment on the site is an indication that their demand was given instant approval.
Onwuegbu, who is a structural engineer by profession with decades of experience, instantly went for an on the spot assessment of the damage done when the disaster occurred.
Engr.Onwuegbu , who was accompanied by the Federal Controller of works,Enugu state, Engr.Emesim Smart Bobby, during the on the spot assessment, pleaded for urgent federal government intervention,taking cognisance of the fact that the road is the lifewire of economic activities among many communities in Awgu local government area and Oji River local government areas, linking the three major local markets of ‘Nkwo Inyi,Ekegbo-Achi and Orie Awgu’.
Engr.Emesim Smart Bobby, the Federal Controller of works in charge of Enugu state during the visit, observed that the drainage system was not included in the original contract for reconstruction of Oji- Achi- Awgu Federal road.
It could be recalled that the collapse of the Oji-Achi-Awgu Federal road between Egwu Achi in Oji River local government area and Nmaku in Awgu local government area, occurred on the early hours of Saturday, May 30th, afternath of a torrential downpour. The bad spot has further been threatened by poorly managed gully erosion.
Checks revealed that lack of drainage on Oji – Achi-Awgu Federal road constitutes a threat to the tarmac at certain points or the communities. For instance, the uncontrolled gully erosion descending from a local market square known as ‘Eke Ajala-Achi’ spanning over a kilometer currently constitutes a threat to many homes, road path to hinter settlements and farm lands at Ahani-Achi community.
Expectations are high that the current intervention by the Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial district, Senator Osita Ngwu and the Federal Lawmaker, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constiuency, will be extended such areas to avoid disaster of any kind.
