Written By:UBAKA ONWUANIBE
Rural Communities rely on their age-long roads as thoroughfare, connectivity and needful transportation among neighboring communities. Such roads have provided smooth movement across all nearby villages, towns and strategic locations like markets and churches.
Commendably, the Anambra State government has positioned our dear State frontally among States that have best network of roads in Nigeria. However, erosion and its negative impacts have remained a nightmare to all victim communities and even the ever caring State government.
To residents of Umuazu village in Uke, Idemili North Council Area, the burden of erosion, its tragedy, devastation and unlimited consequences have so much overwhelmed the village and its people. Some of our roads, including the Appeal – Eke Uke Road and the Mkpulu Ideani-Igwe Agbala – Eke Uke Road are neatly done as well as Eke Uke – Ebube Muonso – Umuoji Road.
All the roads and many more are constructed by the State government. Since the roads were constructed, Uke community in general has continued to cherish the benefits of such infrastructure as they have impacted positively on the life of the community and residents alike. But on the other side are sadness, pain and sorrow.
Umuazu, one of the six villages in Uke, sharing boundaries with Ideani and Nnobi, groans under the heavy weight of erosion. Notable ancestral roads are presently shadows of their good old selves, lacking in their known usefulness.
For instance, the Ugwu Onuno Ndu – Ideani Junction Road, also known as Ugwu Agbaenyi Road, has ceased to exist for over fifteen years now. Ravaging erosion caught up with the popular road, burrowed through its path and shut it down. Presently, the road is over grown with trees, weeds and shrubs sinking their tap roots into the gully erosion. Worst still is the Anago Amanze – Mkpulu Ideani Road. The road, as short as less than half a kilometer, has been shut down due to flooding, gully and the accompanying impact of devastating erosion.
The Igwe Ileka – Ugoeteka Amanze – Eke Uke Road is the newest record of erosion tragedy in Umuazu village, Uke. At the onset of the rains of this year, 2020, the Ugoeteka Amanze-Gibson Chukwujindu portion of the road succumbed to severe pressure of flood water. Natives and concerned individuals joined efforts with the village in utter commitment to tackle the menace, but to no avail.
The portion of the road cut into two, putting a halt to both vehicular and pedestrian movement. Houses, farmlands and economic trees remain victims of the threat and ravaging effects of the erosion.
The effect is much. Ndi Umuazu village and residents have tried in no small measures as the lean resources could carry. Concerned individuals have contributed to curb the devastation. All these have not yielded the expected result.
How pleasant it will be, how relieving and soothing Umuazu people of Uke will feel if succor and help could come to them to assuage the predicament. Anambra State government, under Governor Willie Obiano has been at the forefront of the welfare of Ndi Anambra, an administration that has continued to show concern and commitment to the plight of the people.
Uke community has benefitted and still benefitting from the considerations of government in making life better for the people in terms of community-oriented development. But there is still the persistent need for more assistance.
The hope and expectation of Ndi Umuazu village Uke is that the listening ears and considerate attention of Governor Obiano-led government should come to their rescue once again to restore the roads and open up the closed axis of the village. This will, no doubt, bring back the joy and happiness of the people.
This is a humble appeal and an honest request. How good and pleasant it will be, if honored.
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