By Tochi Onyeubi
In a bid to ameliorate the sufferings occasioned by the bad road, first lady of Ondo state, Her Excellency Betty Akeredolu has facilitated the construction of the Emeabiam, Eziobodo road in Owerri West LGA of Imo state, through the Niger Delta Development Commission’s emergency intervention.
This was made known during the community entry held at the host communities Emeabiam and Eziobodo, which had the Traditional rulers, HRH Eze Engr. Eunan Eke and HRH Eze Eziudo Richard Osuji, village heads, women, youths and other Stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ondo state Governor on media, Rowland Onyeukwu representing the first lady, informed the people that, the project which is an emergency intervention will kick off immediately following the community entry to intimate the people.
He noted that the intervention became necessary in the face of the collapse of health care facility in the area and loss of lives especially for women during labor, who were unable to access prompt health attention occasioned by the bad road.
Onyeukwu further pointed out that, even teachers have severally requested to be transferred out and have moved out, due to the condition of the road.
Introducing the team of engineers, he appealed for their maximum support and cooperation all through the duration of the project.
The elated traditional ruler who assured the team of their support and protection all through the duration of the project, poured libation in prayers for long life and progress for the first lady. This gesture was continued by the chairman of the Oha na Okoro of the community.
In a related development, the team visited Eziobodo on community entry. They were received at the palace of HRH Eze Dr. Lucky Okoro by the traditional ruler of Eziokele community, HRH Eziudo Richard Ngozichukwu Osuji.
Thanking the Ondo state First lady, traditional ruler said it was a welcome development and assured of the community was solidly behind them and willing to proffer any assistant when the need arises.
Contributing, the cabinet chairman Mr Alex Nwachukwu who said Eziobodo people are appreciative of the land mark project, said Her Excellency has indeed set her footprint and will never be forgotten for her kind gestures.
He however appealed to the contractors to ensure that a smooth and durable road with proper drainage system is constructed.
In an interview with one of the contractors, Engr. Odor Ogechukwu Emmanuel said the project handled by Ogyson Nigeria limited, a 10.5KM road will cut across two communities – Eziobodo and Emeabiam.
He informed that work begins in earnest as the duration of the project being an emergency intervention is expected to end in the next 180 days. He however assured quality work including drainages.
The traditional rulers respectively in their input while thanking the First lady for the grand initiative, informed that the road has not been constructed before, even by successive government.
They stated that, when constructed, it will help in ameliorating the sufferings of their people who are mainly farmers and will enable them push their farm products for sale, encourage commercial exchange, long awaited development as well as improve the quality of life for the people.
