Road infrastructure is as basic as the air we breathe. It is a linear way for the conveyance of traffic which, to a great extent, has an improved surface for use by vehicles; both motorized and non-motorized, including pedestrians. Roads play the very vital role of aiding transportation.
Before now, Anambra State prides as a state with the best network of roads. This entails that nooks and crannies of the state can be easily accessed from community to community without hitches. Sadly, this may no longer be the case, as most roads in the state have become death traps, causing untold hardship to the populace .
During the campaign which ushered in the Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led administration, one resounding request across communities was the provision of roads. Thus, when Governor Soludo mounted the saddle of governance, one of the major thrusts and focus of his government centered on how to provide access roads across the state.
However, restrained by scarce resources, Governor Soludo has narrowed the focus and prioritized the construction of strategic roads. By this, the Soludo-led administration is constructing roads that link and open up communities, support economic growth and improve the lives of Ndi Anambra.
To achieve this target, Anambra State Government decided to ‘sprinkle’ roads in strategic parts of the state. For instance, Governor Soludo flagged off the construction of nine roads in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area that are approximately 14.3 kilometers. When these roads are completed, they will give the people of the area, who feel they have since been neglected, a sense of belonging.
Work has also commenced on the eleven kilometer Mmiata Anam-Nzam road. When completed, the road will boost agro-economy of the area in particular and Anambra State in general.
Also, Governor Soludo has flagged off construction and rehabilitation of about sixty-point-two kilometers of roads across the state. Works are already ongoing in the sites. These include the twenty-six kilometer Awba-Ofemili-Amansea road. The communities in this stretch who will benefit are as well agrarian communities. They are Amansea, Ebenebe, Ugbene, Ugbenu and Awba-Ofemili all in Awka North Local Government Area. Similarly, the 26.4 kilometer Amansea-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma road which links the state Capital, Awka and Orumba North and South axis which is targeted to be completed within four months will not only improve economic activities, but drastically reduce travel time.
Other roads currently receiving the attention of the state government are: the six hundred meter stretch Isu/Igbo, Isuofia/Igboukwu section of the Ekwulobia/Nnobi Road popularly called Isu-Igbo river, the seven point-seven-nine kilometer Akpaka- Basilica road in Onitsha North Council Area, the flood control work at the Ogidi/Ogbunike road, and the rehabilitation of the failed portion of Mmili John road in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area.
At the last count, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has flagged off over eighty kilometer roads across the state. This is out of the two-hundred and twenty kilometer roads he targets to complete in his first year in office. In his words, in no distant time, Anambra will become a massive construction site. According to the pact signed between the state government and contractors handling the different roads, it is expected that the roads will have a twenty year life span.
These projects are according to the People’s manifesto, Governor Soludo’s promise to Ndi Anambra. He assured that his administration will modernize and maintain existing roads, connect more communities with new roads, build flyovers, spurs and bridges, insist on durable roads, explore alternative business models including concessioning to provide more and better roads. So far, he is fulfilling the promise.
Ndi Anambra, the solution is here!
Ejike Abana ,ABS