The leadership of International Society for Civil Liberties and the Rule of Law (Intersociety) says it has resolved to join other well meaning citizens and residents of Anambra State and its national, regional and international well wishers in yearning for the return of bulldozers on Anambra Roads, as well as return of other fundamental public governance incentives to the people and institutions in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday in Onitsha jointly signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Board Chairman; Obianuju Igboeli, Head, Civil Liberties & Rule of Law Programme; and Chinwe Umeche, Head, Democracy & Good Governance Programme, the group said it has also resolved to strongly kick against the return, in any form, of the state to the theatres of tears and bloodletting in the exercise of political activism by the incumbent administration of Mr. Willie Obiano and other core stakeholders in Anambra politics.

It recalled that the periods before the middle of 2006 and above; particularly from 1999 to 2004, must not be allowed a foot again in Anambra politics. It said this resolution is strongly predicated on two recent unhealthy developments in the state. “One of which is the near silent of bulldozers and road graders on Anambra roads; usually at their peak by this time of the year (dry season); with concurrent noises and dusts spreading across the three Senatorial Districts of Anambra North, Anambra South and Anambra Central; with mainly attended areas being Anambra North and Anambra Central Zones. It is on the ground of this, therefore, that Intersociety has resolved to join other well meaning citizens and residents of the state in yearning for the return of bulldozers on Anambra roads!

“Bulldozers’ Noises and Dusts; by way of road construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or maintenance; were traditionalized by then illegitimate government of Dr. Chris Ngige; particularly between late 2004 and early 2006. This was after his failed abduction by his estranged violent political godfathers.

“The referenced Noises and Dusts of Bulldozers were later expanded and consolidated by the legitimate administration of Mr. Peter Obi, leading to inclusion in the work-plan of large scale and medium scale bridges, strategic inter-communal roads and a number of strategic federal roads; resulting in road revolution; with which Anambra is creditably known for till date.

“Today, Bulldozers and their noises and dusts, appeared to have gone silent and dead in the state. For over two years running since the emergence of the administration of Obiano, no known single road of reasonable or distance mileage or kilometres, is known to have been started from the scratch, completed and commissioned in Onitsha Zone by the administration.

“By Onitsha Zone, we mean Fegge Community; Fegge Housing Estate, Odoakpu, Inland Town, Woliwo Layout and Onitsha GRA. It also includes non-Onitsha urban areas such as Awada, Ugwuagba, Enekwasumpu, Omagba Phases 1 & 2, Okpoko, Nkutaku, Iyiowa Layout and Odekpe Town, Obosi Urban, Ogidi Urban, Nkpor Urban, Nsugbe Urban (including “33 GRA”), Nkwelle Urban, Mkpikpa Layout and Oba Urban, etc.

“We challenge the administration of Mr. Willie Obiano to rubbish this position of ours with contrary and provable facts as it concerns the existence of any fresh road or failed city road located in any of the areas mentioned above; which contract was awarded, completed and commissioned by his administration from April 2014 till date.

“This is just one urban area and we have not mentioned others such as Ihiala sub Urban, Nnewi Urban, Ekwulobia sub Urban, Awkuzu sub Urban and its environs; Awka Urban (other than flyover bridges at Amawbia Roundabout, Kwata Junction and Aroma Roundabout); Umunze sub Urban; Ekwusigo, Aguata and Nnewi South areas, among other strategic communities in the State.

“Till date, the centre right main lane of the Upper Iweka to Borrowmeo Roundabout portion of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and its left service lane (starting from former MICMERAH Park to Borromeo Roundabout) are yet to be fully asphalted or coated. While other lanes that are fully asphalted have long been marked, the referenced portions have remained unmarked till date.

“The strategic and all-important Atani-Ozubulu Link Road or Bypass is yet to be completed till date. The all-important Road, with three bridges worth billions of naira; was completed by 80% before the inception of the Obiano Administration; yet the remainder has remained abandoned and uncompleted till date. This is not to talk about the abandonment or acute slow pace of work on dozens of roads inherited by the Obiano Administration with works on them progressively progressing at various speeds before the inception of his Administration. Other critical areas of governance in the State, except the ‘payment’ of workers’ salaries and control of violent crimes; are not faring creditably, contrary to media jingling.

“Before now, Bulldozers are traditionally known particularly since 2006 in Anambra State as active road users during the dry season, competing for a road space with other road users; on account of their owners moving them to the sites having been fully mobilised or partly-paid. In the time of Peter Obi’s Administration, for instance, rapid Bulldozers’ movement during dry season, with accompanying dusts and noises, were made possible through huge rainy season savings as well as proactive contract policy of: complete designated kilometres, raise warrants, get paid and move back to site for other segments.

“Further, owing to high concentration of vehicles of private, commercial and industrial usage in Anambra State as well as fragile topography and soil fragility of the State landscape; in addition to incessant flood menace in rainy season; occasioned by the State’s poor waste and environmental management system; the lifespan of asphalted road network in the State is constantly threatened and required short periodic and constructive maintenance. As we speak, 50% of the asphalted roads or more in the State, particularly, State and urban or township roads are in dire need of strong maintenance in their failed portions.

“Such roads include township roads in Okpoko (i.e. Ede Road and Obodoukwu Road), Harbour Industrial Layout in Ogbaru; Fegge (i.e. Port Harcourt Road, Creek Road, Bida Road, Ochanja Market/Zik’s Avenue, Niger Street, etc), Odoakpu (Iweka Road, Modebe Avenue, New Market Road, Old Market Road, Sokoto Road, Iboku Street, New and Old Cemetery Roads, Ozomagala Street, Enugu Road, Oguta Road, Obanye Street etc).

“Others are Onitsha GRA, Inland Town, Nkpor, Omagba Phases 1 &2, Ogidi, Obosi, Oba; and inter-communal roads in Umunze, Igboukwu, Nnobi, Nnewi, Ihiala, Oko, Nkwelle, Ekwulobia, Idemili North and South, Anaocha, Njikoka, Nsugbe, Umuchu, Uli, Mbosi, Uga, Agulu, Awka and environs to mention but a few.

“Substantial parts of major drainages and waterways in the State are also filled up and blocked. Of alarming concern are the dicey state of SAKAMORI Drainages at Okpoko, Silas Work and Nwangene River in Fegge, Onitsha; a major collector of all human and rainy season generated water in Onitsha and its environs and depositor of same into the River Niger. Well over half of the referenced Drainages are filled up and blocked and have not been cleared since the beginning of 2014. In the rainy season of 2015, for instance, not less than 20 innocent citizens got flushed away and killed, mostly at Obodoukwu Road and interior Okpoko areas; owing to flood menace associated with flirty and blockage of the SAKAMORI Drainages.”

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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