Students of Abia State University (ABSU), and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) who live off-campus are lamenting the terrible condition of the road linking both institutions— the Ikot-Epene-Umudike road in Umuahia North, following incessant rainfall. Nevertheless, they want the state government to repair the road to ease their hardship, reports FORTUNE AMAECHI (ABSU).

For students of Abia State University (ABSU) and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in Abia State, who live off-campus, these are bad times. They suffer untold hardship getting to their campuses owing to the terrible condition of the Ikot-Ekpene-Umudike road, which was worsened by non-stop heavy rainfall.

Some months ago, before the rainy season, CAMPUSLIFE observed that some parts of the road had some potholes. Then, residents, including students, appealed to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to fill them but nothing was done.

When the rains began, the road deteriorated. The potholes became wider and deeper – such that commuters faced difficulties navigating the road.

Almost daily, cars, buses and heavy-duty trucks break down and get stuck on the road. This in turn creates long and tiring traffic that results in loss of time that could have been put to productive use. The traffic only eases when towing vehicles are around.

Students of MOUAU, who just finished their examination, found it tough getting transportation to their school. They usually paid through their noses to get to school on time for their examination. Those who could not afford that usually depended on good Samaritans going in that direction. Sadly, sometimes, they either got to the examination hall late or missed their paper altogether.

ABSU students do not fare better.They also go through trouble getting to campus.

Students lament, call for urgent repairs

Students of both institutions are calling on authorities in the state and their schools to ensure the road is repaired.

David Henry, a 300-Level Mechanical Engineering student of MOUAU, said the road worsened daily, gradually becoming a ditch.

He said: “How bad does this have to get before someone steps in? This is becoming really bad; I mean people have to see the road we are talking about. It is never the same each day, that is, the way you saw it yesterday can never be the way it would be today. It gets worse daily and it is scary because before you know it, a ditch is forming. So, I am begging people in power to do something before the situation gets out of hand.”

Victor Nwizu, a Law student of ABSU, complained of body pains anytime he returns from school.

“Do you know the pain I feel every day when I get back from school? It is not from the stress of school; it is from that bad road. Do you know that some days ago, I was in a tricycle and it was so deep into the water that we all had to raise our legs up so that the bad water did not touch us? Just imagine that. Seriously, the Governor has to step in at this time,” he said.

For Richard Charles, a student of Veterinary Medicine, MOUAU, he almost missed his examination because of the terrible road. He wondered that politicians make use of the road, yet, nothing has been done about it.

He said: “From my lodge, one can hear the sirens of these politicians’ cars passing. They pass through this road at least down to Ahiake, but they have not done anything. It is not good enough. This road almost cost me my examination. I almost missed one of my papers. Mine is even better, I have a friend who missed his examinations. How bad should the road get before someone comes to our aid?”

Victor Chibuike, an Agriculture Economics and Extension student of the University of Abuja, was appalled by the state of the road when he visited his cousin.

“I came to visit my cousin and what I saw that was called road was amazing!You see when you school in a place with good roads as Abuja, you don’t worry about things like body pains or weakness of the body.

“Just imagine going to school and you already have headache courtesy of the road, how are you then to concentrate in class? These are some factors to consider. On behalf of my cousin, I call on the well-meaning Governor of Abia State to intervene and fix the road,” he said.

Ayo Gbenga, a 300-Level Food Science and Technology student of ABSU, wants students to mobilise and do something, if temporarily, about the road instead of waiting eternally for government.

“Well, it will be a good development if students decide to take the bull by the horns and do something about it because we are the ones who know where the shoe hurts. With this road getting worse every day and at this rate, it is gradually turning into a ditch. We are the ones taking the pain killers not the people in power, so let us come out and do something before the situation gets out of hands,” he said.

A 400-Level Food Science and Technology student, ABSU, Rachael Anyanwu, agrees. She said: “Gradually this is becoming a death trap for people if one is not careful. I am calling out the capable students and youths to come out and let us find a temporary solution pending when a lasting solution would come. Who knows if the government, community and school management will swing into action if we start doing something because I am tired of the terrible road.

“I have a lot of engagements but by the time I think of the stress I would pass through on the road, I just stay back home and do other things, I am begging the governor, community and school authorities to do something about this situation.”

Patra Onyeji, another ABSU student, is calling on youths in the community to join students to fill up the potholes.

“Youths in the community should liaise with students so we can fill up these potholes with concrete block and sand. At least to an extent the road will become better for all because the way it is going, there will come a time when the road will become inaccessible and that is when people in power will swing into action,” she said.

Sadly, youths in the community have been exploiting the situation for gain rather than finding solution.They block the road with anything they can lay their hands and open it only after the driver has paid them some money.

Workers, traders, drivers, others affected

It is not only students that are affected by the bad road. Commercial vehicle operators and other road users also feel the pain.

A lecturer of Food Science and Technology in ABSU, who does not want to be named, said he encountered great difficulty getting to school last Monday. He said he had an 8a.m.test to conduct, but ended up arriving school after 10a.m., because his car broke down and he had to wait more than an hour for help.

“The state government should try to find a lasting solution to this road because the people are suffering,” he said.

A tricycle operator, Okoroafor David, said: “Honestly, the road affects our keke. We, as road users, have to service our keke every time we ply that road. Each time we take that route, our keke must hit something. The road is that bad that it is like our keke is swimming. We all have to raise our legs because of the pool of water. I am begging the governor to come to our rescue.”

A trader in Ahiaeke market, Monica Abraham, said the state of the road had made re-stocking her goods more difficult for her.

“I buy goods from Ndi-Oru market, but transporting is the major issue I have. The road is so bad that I have to hold my heart in my hand anytime I pass that road because my goods are so large that if one is not careful in driving, it can make the keke almost fall.

"In fact, one day, I was coming back from the market, rain had just stopped, the road was flooded, the flood was so much that it was making the keke to swerve and before we knew what was happening, the keke fell with all my goods in it. In that large pool of water, I was only able to save few of my things, but all my vegetables, tomatoes, pepper, garri, etc. were destroyed and that was a huge loss for me; not only that, the amount I paid for transportation also was so high because of this bad road. For us traders, we are running at a loss plying this road. I am begging the governor to come and help us."

A non-academic staff member of ABSU who craved anonymity, said she leaves for work as early as 7am but gets there around 11am due to the congestion on the road as a result of the unending traffic, not to talk about the fuel consumed on the road. She said her car broke down and it took long before she could repair it.

“The road not only causes bottlenecks, but damages people’s vehicles. It is high time it was repaired,” she said. (The Nation)

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