November 02, (THEWILL) – The Aba-branch (Ehime Mbano) — Ekeahiara road connecting the LGA headquarters to Owerri through Mbaise, has now been overtaken by gunmen.
The bad road had cried for rehabilitation from the administration of the former Governor, Achike Udenwa; and even those who have succeeded him.
A cyclist, from Ihitteafor-ukwu community, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, Ikechukwu Nwekwo, who said he was a victim of armed robbery, said his newly-bought motorcycle was snatched from him by hoodlums along the Aba-Ekeahiara road by bandits in the first week of October 2024.
“I was going to “Ama Banas” to buy motorcycle parts but surprisingly, on my way, three boys attacked me and took away my motorcycle.”
A Taxi driver, Chikanele Okebaram, on Friday, said the road’s abandonment has been the reason bandits have taken over the axis to attack the unsuspecting general public.
The Ekeahiara-Aba branch road is said to have appeared in the State budgets of previous administrations since 2007 but was awarded by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to the contractor handling Ehime Mbano Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP).
THEWILL gathered that the contractor, Engr. Chukwudi Iwu, abandoned the project in February 2020, despite collecting mobilisation fees from the present administration.
Bandits, according to those living within the area, have taken the forest as their havens, where they attack motorists daily.
Imo Commissioner for Works, Ralph Nwosu, when contacted to comment on why the absconded contractor refused to return to the site for the commencement of the road’s rehabilitation, in response, said that it has not been awarded.
