By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) have urged Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to urgently extend palliative road maintenance to major roads in Onitsha, the commercial hub of the state, to ease traffic congestion and alleviate the hardship faced by residents and motorists.
The groups said urgent intervention on the roads was necessary to ensure the free flow of traffic and sustain economic activities in the densely populated metropolis.
In a press statement made available to our Correspondent on Tuesday ,the Chairman of CD in the South-East and HURIDE, Dede Uzor A. Uzor, said an aggressive road maintenance programme across the state, particularly in Onitsha, would help reduce the hardship experienced by residents.
Uzor listed Uga Street, Arondizuogu Street, Port Harcourt Road, Orlu Street, Modebe Avenue, Oguta Road, Awka Road, Old Market Road, Ridge Road, Mbonu Ojike Street and Limca Road, among others, as roads requiring urgent attention.
“Soludo should direct his attention to road infrastructure. Such intervention should be timely to alleviate the sufferings of the common citizens,” the statement said.
The organisations, however, commended Soludo for his administration’s road infrastructure projects across the state, including the dualisation of the Agulu-Nnobi-Nnewi road and the construction and rehabilitation of roads linking Nnobi, Igboukwu, Ekwulobia, Oko, Ufuma, Ajalli and Umunze.
They urged the governor not to relent in his road infrastructure efforts, particularly in Onitsha, which they described as a cosmopolitan city with a high population and significant economic activity.
The groups also noted that the commercial city contributes substantially to the state’s internally generated revenue, arguing that its road infrastructure deserved sustained attention.
They said improved road infrastructure in Onitsha would not only ease movement but also support commerce and improve the quality of life of residents and other road users.
