Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has declared a state of emergency on the Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa-Obinze road, describing it as “worse than hell fire.”
Okorocha, who made the declaration during an assessment tour of the deteriorated road, also confirmed that he had received several complaints on the bad state of the road.
“I have received several complaints about the bad state of this road. Honestly, I never envisaged that it was as bad as what I am seeing now. It is worse than hell fire,” Okorocha said.
He assured the people that trooped out to welcome him at Nkwo Ukwu Ihiagwa market square that the contractor must start work on the road as soon as the rains stop.
“I assure you that the contractor will resume work on this very important road as soon as the rains stop. The suffering of the people of this area must stop”, Okorocha said.
He, however, warned that people must be prepared to make some sacrifice, pointing out that those whose stores, kiosks or buildings were built along the way, which equally obstructed free flow of flood water, will be demolished in the process.
The governor also warned the people to also resist the temptation of building their houses close to major roads, adding that such development impedes expansion of the road whenever government was ready to do so.
Speaking also, traditional ruler of Ihiagwa, Eze James Muruako, commended the governor for coming to see things for himself, pointing out that his people have suffered more than enough as a result of the bad road.
The royal father pleaded with the governor to ensure that only a reputable contracting firm was given the assignment of doing the road.
