IMO ASSEMBLY CALLS FOR URGENT REHABILITATION OF UMUGAKWO-NKWO UMUOBA MARKET SQUARE-UMUCHIMA ROAD IN UMUOBA URATTA, OWERRI-NORTH LGA

Worried by the present condition of Umugakwo-Nkwo Umuoba Market Square -Umuchima Road in Uratta, Owerri-North Local Government Area, the Imo State House Of Assembly has called for its urgent rehabilitation.

This is the outcome of the House Plenary on Tuesday 21/10/2025.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Owerri-North State Constituency, Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum, explained that the said road has been in a deplorable condition for over 20 years, with no major rehabilitation carried out within the period, and as a result, has collapsed into deep gullies, severe potholes and uncontrolled flooding, which have effectively rendered it almost impassable.

Hon Kelechi Ofurum, who was in tears while narrating the condition of the road, further explained that flooding has forced the desertion of the once vibrant Nkwo Umuoba Market Square which used to serve as the commercial hub of the community and surrounding areas, as businesses have collapsed, traders displaced and the State deprived of internally generated revenue. He also noted that despite several remedial work carried out by the community, which included, filling of potholes, digging temporary drainages and fundraising to fight the challenge, the condition of the road and its surrounding environment has deteriorated, such that residents are now on the verge of being completely displaced from their ancestral homes.

Nevertheless, sounding very confident and hopeful that the road would receive urgent attention from the State Government now that attention has been drawn to it, Hon Kelechi Ofurum, who is also the House Committee Chairman On Mines And Solid Minerals, in his words said, *”this situation is a humanitarian crisis requiring immediate and decisive intervention from the State Government to save lives, protect property and preserve ancestral heritage. I appreciate Governor Hope Uzodimma for what he is doing on road infrastructure, and I am confident he will rehabilitate this Umugakwo-Nkwo Umuoba Market Square -Umuchima Road, thus bringing it back to its original Glory as the major community access road linking various villages, schools, markets, churches and farmlands”.*

The Motion which was seconded by the Member Representing Njaba State Constituency, Hon Chief Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine, was cosponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Hon Ikenna Martin Ihezuo.

2. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

3. Hon Clinton Amadi.

4. Hon James Uba Esile.

5. Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.

6. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.

7. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.

8. Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha.

9. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.

10. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.

11. Hon Uche Francis Agabige.

Moved by compassion and the urgency to have the road rehabilitated, the following lawmakers supported the Motion with commendable inputs :

1. Hon Clinton Amadi, Deputy Minority Leader (Owerri Municipal).

2. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).

3. Hon Engr Johnson Iheonukara Duru (Ideato-South).

4. Hon Barrister Ikenna Martin Ihezuo (Orlu).

Following their compassionate inputs, the Honourable Members urged that the road, being critical, be urgently rehabilitated, as it would decongest the State capital, Owerri.

Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Urge The Ministry Of Works, Imo State, To Urgently Commence The Rehabilitation And Reconstruction Of The Umugakwo-Nkwo Umuoba Market Square-Umuchima Road In Umuoba Uratta, Owerri-North LGA.

* Be It Also Resolved By This Honourable House To Call On The State Government To Declare The Situation Of The Umugakwo-Nkwo Umuoba Market Square-Umuchima Road A Matter Of Urgent Public Importance, And Prioritize It In The Subsequent Budgetary Allocations For Capital Projects.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to His Excellency the Governor.