Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has called the attention of the government and relevant stakeholders to the deplorable state of Aba and consequently, the suffering of residents, especially in this rainy season.

 

The civil rights group which is committed to the entrenchment of good governance, respect for the rule of law and protection of the Universal Human Rights of Nigerians and also an active member of the Abia Civil Society Organization Network (ACSON) expressed concern that Aba is at the verge of being submerged in its recent on-the-spot-assessment of the ongoing NEWMAP assisted projects in some areas of Aba which is aimed at flood mitigation.

 

In a press release dated 9th May, 2022, and signed by its Executive Director, Chuka Okoye noted that it gathered that the shabby work at the just reconstructed Ngwa Road has facilitated the emergence of flood at some points, causing homes to be submerged and properties destroyed.

 

In its visit to the area, the residents of Ngwa Road raised unpleasant issues as regards to the destruction of the old culverts and the permanent blockage of the adjoining streets, which is depriving residents of the streets access to the newly reconstructed road (Ngwa Road), and has led to the destruction of some buildings at the tail end of the road (Akoli Uzoiyi street), which is another broad link to Ohankwu Road, cutting accross other adjoining sreets like, Nwofor, Ndusoro, Uzuitemm, Mbubo, Item road etc; therefore making this monumental project uncompleted and somewhat a sabotage to the immortalization of the only road that bears the name “Ngwa” in this State.

 

According to the statement “residents of Ohanku Road are not spared of this horrific experience as lots of buildings have been submerged and residents displaced as well. This unpleasant incident which is also pathetic and uncalled-for based on the fact that the said project is being powered with the 58 million US Dollars World Bank Intervention Fund made available to the government of Abia State in 2017”

 

The Group, reportedly noted that the approach of the construction company/ies handling the the project/s has been nothing short of unprofessional and consequently has left the roads, especially the popular Ngwa Road which deserves utmost attention in a pitiable state.

 

CEHRAWS in the release expressed its disappointment at the speedy erection of permanent structures on the aforesaid abandoned part of Ngwa Road which is championed by the Good-Morning Market leadership who is alleged to have the approval of HRM Eze S.D.N Emejiaka, Aba South Town planning Authority and the Ministry of Trade and Investment. However expressed disbelief in the allegation and purported sales of sanitary lanes to some gullible house owners for the erection  of permanent structures by the Aba South Town Planning Authority Authority, but said that if the allegation happens to be true upon investigation, then it would amount to sabotage of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu’s dogged efforts to save Aba (the heartbeat of ala Igbo, economic hub of Abia and the pride of Ngwa clan) from ruination by these persons and institutions.

 

The release further reads; “there is immense apprehension over the ongoing giant drainage construction work at Chrystal Park Road which poses a serious threat to the buildings therein, as a result of poor handling of the project. As it stands presently, the ongoing job contradicts the earlier details made available to the public by a representative of NEWMAP during a radio talk show in Aba. The underground Tunnel Dredging Equipment Proposed for the job, which according to NEWMAP had been paid for, and was already on its way to Nigeria from Israel has never been sighted anywhere around the project area. Is it possible that the amount budgeted for the said equipment has been misappropriated?”

 

On a note of advice, the group noted that the government and its relevant stakeholders should compel the contractors handling the said project to apply professionalism in order to correct the aforesaid Identified construction errors which will in turn eliminate the complaints and the fear being expressed by the residents of Aba and also charge the indicated stakeholders and government officials to urgently refute the said allegations publicly, and join forces to correct the ugly situation.

 

It added that government should consider immortalizing Ngwa road and compel the contractors to give urgent and professional touch to the road, connecting it to the aforesaid adjoining roads to ease the suffering of the residents.