Residents and motorists have called on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to fix the portion of Enugu-Nsukka carriage way that is threatened by flood. According to them, the present condition of the road poses dangers to motorists, school children and business owners around the area.
Their pleas followed the ravaging of the portion of the road by flood as a result of a Sunday evening rainfall that lasted about an hour.
Nickolas Ugwueze is a parent. He said, “We have been passing through this for about three years. Our children pass through here on their way to schools. Under this condition, the road poses dangers to them. They only have the narrow road demarcation to walk across the endangered area. Any slip portends danger. I appeal to Governor Mbah to come to our help. This is the road leading to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. It deserves a serious attention.”
Maduabuchi is a Keke operator. He said, “This is terrible. My Keke sank yesterday and had to be pulled out by some people who took the risk to help me. This is a major problem facing Nsukka residents.”
Business owners around the scene also shared their ordeals. Blessing, a petrol station attendant, said once it rained, her source of livelihood would be at risk.
According her, “I’m being paid on a commission basis, depending on the sales I record. When it rains, our premises are flooded, and no one will come to buy. This is the first major rain this year, and it has become like this. Without help from the state government, we are in trouble. This is a state road. Let out local government chairman take our cries to the governor.”
THE WHISTLER reported that the road was dualised by the administration of former Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. The particular spot where the flood has been recurring is said to have an underground drainage that has been blocked.
Honourable Ikechukwu Ozioko is a resident of the area. He said, “Towards the end of last year’s rainy season, repairs were carried out to open up the blocked drainages. But what happened yesterday shows that it has not been fixed. There is no solution except the state government engage a reputable engineering firm to fix the place once and for all.”
