FUTO host community appeals to Buhari, Uzodimma over bad roads

The people of Ihiagwa Communiy, in Owerri West Local Council of Imo State, have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the state governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma to intervene over the deplorable state of roads in the area.

Ihiagwa Community hosts the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Police Training School, among other federal and state establishments.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the community, under the aegis of Ihiagwa Town Management Committee, led by Mr. Emeka Udokporo, lamented that condition of the road has adversely affected the social-economic life of their people.

According to him, “Aside that the community has lost many lives, due to the bad state of roads, the situation is inhibiting further developments in the area.”

He commended Governor Uzodimma for laudable projects embarked by his government and reassured him of the community’s continued support and cooperation.

He said: “Ihiagwa road deserves urgent attention, as the rainy season approaches. The current state of the road has subjected our people to untold hardship. People no longer come to Ihiagwa to invest or establish businesses. The existing ones have collapsed due to low patronage, or even relocated. Our people are now appealing for help.

“Regrettably, some pregnant Ihiagwa women are losing their unborn babies during labour due to logistics compounded by the deplorable state of the access road. Our sick people are dying on regular basis, as doctors/nurses cannot reach them when needed because of poor accessibility.

“It is important to remind us of the presence of the following institutions, along Ihiagwa road- FUTO, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, and the Police Training College. Some of the staff and students of these institutions reside in the community, which means that they are also suffering.

“Also, the road connects many communities in Owerri West Local Council, like Eziobodo, Eziokele, Okolochi, Emeabiam, Umuokpo and Imo Rubber Estate. The road will reduce the heavy traffic within Owerri, if completed.
“It may be necessary to record that Ihiagwa people have suffered this menace for a very long time, and we have made frantic efforts to draw the attention of the government to the road, to ensure that Ihiagwa is not cut off from the city.”