OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE Your Excellency, Chief Maduabuchi Obiano, I write to bring to your notice the bad condition of a Less than 3km Aviama- Nneyi link Road in Umueri in Anambra East Local Government area. The present condition of road which has remain impassable for years is indeed impacting negatively & adversely on the traders and rural dwellers that use the road for the daily survival. Years back, the said road which leads motor users from Aviama at the intersection of Ikenga & Ivite Umueri to Nneyi in Ezi Umueri seems to have been deserted by successive Government that it takes the resolves and effort of the host communities to open up the road. It’s pertinent to emphasis the economic importance of the said road, which was opened up by the host communities to connect two important markets in the area – The Aviama, at the threshold of the road down east to Eke Nneyi market. This Road is an easier route that can lead vehicular users from Ivite Umueri, Nteje, Awkuzu and nearby villages to Nsugbe, Nkwelle Ezunaka and Onitsha GRA within less than 15 minutes drive. The Importance of the road cannot be over-emphasised as the nearly impassable condition of the roads has made traders from Nteje, Awkuzu to bypass Ivite & Ikenga Umueri to Aguleri then to Obinetiti Umueri before reaching Eke Nneyi. The same also affect traders from Nneyi-Umueri, Nsugbe, Nkwelle Ezunaka etc who are forced due to current condition of the road to bypass the Nneyi to Aguleri from there to Ikenga Umueri before reaching their Aviama- their ultimate destination. The worse scenario is as it affects the Ivite Villages of Mgbede, who share common boundary with Nneyi and who otherwise will walk to the market on less than 7 minutes trekking but are now forced to commute to Aviama from there to Ikenga Umueri- Aguleri- Obinetit to their nearest door Neighbor at Nneyi. Isn’t that ridiculous? The same could be said of Nneyi traders going to Aviama and Mgbede Umueri. The Irony of it is that the ward or electoral constituency in which this road passed through are the major and the only political ward in Umueri, where APGA and your humble self garnered more votes to trounced your opponent during the last Anambra State Gubernatorial election. The Electorates in this wards knowingly fully well that you’ as an Omambala man must do all it takes to open up roads that will enhance the marketability of our agricultural produce. The need to open up and re-construct this road was the major reasons why the Ivite/Ezi Umueri People voted for you against your rivals. Sir, it’s also pertinent at this juncture that I remind you the historical cum culturally importance of this road that leads Igbo historians and anthropologists to the Great Aro Oracle. The Great Aro oracle has been described as the home where the head of Iguedo, one of the maternal founders of Igbo nation was buried. The Aro Oracles apart from serving as the place where this historical woman head was buried also bequeaths on Umueri the hegemony (Iguaro) to forecast what will happen every year in Igbo nation through its Iguaro festival. The festival as we all know has been attracting guests from far and near. The traditional and royal guests from our fraternal relatives of Iguedo & Umunri communities of Enugwu-ukwu, Enugwu Agidi, Agukwu, Akwuzu, Ogbunike, Nando etc found it extremely stressful to bypass Ivite Umueri to commute through Ikenga Umueri-Aguleri-Obinetiti Umueri to Nneyi for the annual festivals, instead of going through Ivite Umueri straight to the Nneyi Umueri. The festivals which if properly harnessed can bring needed potential tourism to Anambra state seems to be gradually declining. Sir, it’s indeed laughable that when our neighboring ethnic group of Binis and Yorubas have for decades upgrading their traditional festivals and making them events that yield positive impact on their people, ours seems to be neglected & dying from non recognition. I believe Sir as a traditional High Chief, you should accord recognition to these festivals and by starting to open up this road; you will endear yourself to those whom believe in our culture and the potentiality of transforming them into tourism. Before I conclude this letter, permit me sir, to crave for your indulgence to salute and commend you for opening up number of roads in our Neighbouring village of Aguleri and the numerous road projects that you have embarked within this short period. The numerous roads construction that you embarked in Omambala area that includes Nando- Abube- Akwuzu Road Project, Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe Road, Umuezeanam – Mmiata Road and those in Nteje & Ogbunike shows that you’re a man capable of reducing the burden of our rural dwellers. Please sir, it’s also pertinent to point out that a single project particularly of road construction that you embark on Umueri soil will make you a hero of both good people of Umueri and Aguleri- as you will be leaving a legacy for eternity that will sustain a bond of friendship and love between our people. It will go a long way into nailing the coffin of enmity between our people that was occasioned by the ill-advised communal clash that left us polarized. I wrote this open letter to you because I care for your success, having sweated for your victory at the poll. Accept my assurances of highest regards, Comrade Biafra Onyebuchi Diboh (Ikemba Ndigbo na Malaysia)
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 03:37:16 +0000
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