Anambra State House of Assembly has called on the State Government to direct the contractor handling construction of Akpaka Forest Road to return to site immediately.This is in order to ameliorate the sufferings of road users residing within the 3-3 Area of Onitsha.The appeal followed a resolution passed by the legislators based on a motion sponsored by Mr Edward Ibuzo, representing Onitsha North 2 constituency during plenary on July 16.
The motion, which was seconded by Mr Lawrence Ezeudu representing Dunukofia constituency was unanimously passed by the entire house through voice votes called for by the Speaker, Mr Uchenna Okafor.The Speaker, who presided over the plenary, said that Akpaka Forest Road had been impassable.I personally witnessed the hardship on the road; it is always very impassable. We will like the governor to revisit that road.
We commend Gov. Willie Obiano for using meagre resources of the state to fix Anambra roads and urge him to extend it to the reconstruction of roads to Akpaka Forest.’’Mr Edward Ibuzo said that the road, which served as a better alternative to motorists entering 3-3 as well as assessing the new airport was in a deplorable condition.
If the road is constructed, it will reduce excessive hours spent on 3-3 Road by users and also ensure the free movement of people and goods.’’According to him, the population of people living in the 3-3 Area of Onitsha and the vehicular movements has increased immensely.Majority of the people residing there are businessmen, who go to Onitsha; the 3-3 road is also one of the major roads into to the new Anambra State Airport,’’ he noted.
He emphasised that these businessmen contribute significantly to the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, stressing that traffic gridlocks slow down the pace of their businesses and possibly affect revenue generation.Lawmakers, who spoke in favour of the motion, include Mr Lawrence Ezeudu representing Dunukofia constituency, Mr Douglas Egbuna (Onitsha North 1) and Mr Chuka Ezenwune (Idemili South constituency).
Mr Ezeudu described the motion as apt and called on the state commissioner for works to fix the 3-3 road Onitsha, in order to alleviate sufferings of people of the area and environs.Mr Douglas Egbuna, representing Onitsha North1, said that the increasing number of the road users and high rate of vehicular movements had made it pertinent that something be done to repair the road.
He also said that the situation of some roads in Onitsha was in `a state of total hopelessness’.Mr Chuka Ezenwune described the situation of the road as horrific, adding, “the pressure on that road is high as people are now moving toward developing Akpaka including Nkwelle Ezunaka and Nsugbe.One can be in the traffic gridlock on that road for several hours because of the poor state of the road.’’
