From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The abandonment and non-reconstruction of the bridge across Mmam river has continued to hinder interstate movement from Enugu to Abia and Anambra states through Awlaw community in Oji River local government area into Mbala, Isuochi in Umunneochi local government areas of Abia state and Owerre-Ezukala, Ufuma in Anambra state.
Economic and commercial activities among these border communities which are short distance from each other is a mission impossible because of the damaged bridge.
Precisely, the non-reconstruction of Mmam river bridge Constitutes the bane of under development and Investments flow into Awlaw Community in Enugu state.
Awlaw is an agrarian Community in Oji River local government area of Enugu state, South East, Nigeria with rich natural vegetation, fertile soil, riers and streams that enhances production of various food and cash crops throughout the year.
In addition, caves, Rrivers and some other natural features marks the community as a tourism destination point in Nigeria, yearning for development..
The Authority Newspaper findings reveal that the greatest challenge which undermines the exploration of the economic and tourism potentials in Awlaw Community,to boost Enugu state and Nigeria’s economy,is the damaged Mmam River bridge.
It was gathered that Mmam river bridge was damaged during the Nigeria Civil war which lasted from 1967 to 1970. 56 years after the wars, the Federal governnent has neglected or reneged from the several appeals to reconstruct the bridge boost economic activities among Awlaw,Inyi, Akpugoeze communities in Enugu state with Mbala,Isuochi communities in Abia state and also Owerre – Ezukala,Ufuma communities in Orumba North local government area of Anambra state.
The reconstruction will also provide a new route of interstate movenent among Enugu,Abia and Anambra states, with an economy of scale of springing up new townships and cities from these remote communities in the quest for urbanization and reducing poverty rate among the rural populace.
The Authority Newspaper gathered that the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency in Abia state, at the Federal House of Representatives,babout two years ago, sponsored a motion for the reconstruction of the damaged bridge across Mmam river
Hon. Amobi Ogah also gave assurance of the reconstruction of Mmam river bridge, when a delegation of Umuobasi Town Development Union(UTDU) paid him a courtesy visit in his office, at the National Assembly complex.
Hon Anayo Onwuegbu, FNSE, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constiuency of Enugu state, is also lobbying for the federal government’s intervention in reconstructing Mmam river bridge.
It could be recalled that stakeholders from Oji River local government area led by Professor Marire, during an an interface with Governor Peter Mbah, made a passionate appeal to the governnent of Enugu state,to facilitate the reconstruction of Mmam River bridge, as a measure of endearing rural development in the state and beyond.
In a chat with The Authority Newspaper,the Councillor representing Awlaw ward in Oji River Council area,Hon. Harrison Nzodirichukwu Okolo, said that they can see houses and the sounds of events happening at Owerre -Ezukala, Anambra state from Awlaw community, but impossible to reach out to them due to lack of a bridge across Mmam river.
Hon Okolo mentioned untapped potentials in Awlaw Community that can grow the tourism sector in Nigeria to include the ‘Ogba Iyi Ogba cave’ which extends from Awlaw Community to Owerre -Ezukala,in Orumba North Council area of Anambra state, among other caves. Unique rivers and streams, most especially the heavy sound generation from Mman river at a point where it collides with a rock at Ubahu Awlaw Community.
He disclosed that coal deposits, lead and thick clay deposits that are used in the manufacture of tiles and ceramics are part of the natural resources found in Awlaw Community.
