Member Representing Ideato
North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu
has expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Rock View Construction on the Umuchima erosion control project in Ideato South Local Government Area.
Speaking during a recent inspection, Ugochinyere commended the Federal government’s contractor for their impressive progress despite financial challenges, revealing that nearly one kilometer of an alternative route had already been completed, and significant work done to excavate the old road buried by erosion.
Addressing journalists, he reiterated that if work continues at the current pace, the site could become temporarily motorable by December, allowing small vehicles to access the road. He emphasized that the federal government had stepped in to rescue the project after it was abandoned by both state and Federal authorities in previous years.
Ikenga also disclosed that the Imo State Government, under Governor Hope Uzodinma, had shown interest in taking over the project. While he welcomed this development, Ikenga urged the state government to ensure that any transition in responsibility does not result in delays or abandonment. “What matters most to our people is having access to good roads and solving the erosion issue once and for all. We cannot afford to stop this progress,” he stated.
He further expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for honoring their commitment to addressing the erosion crisis. He added that the people of Umuchima and Ideato South, who have endured years of hardship due to the erosion, must be given timely relief.
In his words, “As you can see, bursting that road up there is almost about 20% to 30% left to the other main road but as the same time, we have also received the news that the Government of the state led by Gov. Hope Uzodinma wants to take over the project adding the road from Orlu down to Orie-Akokwa because if you get to Orie -Akokwa, there’s also a serious problem of erosion at the roundabout.
It does not matter who does it, whether the federal government or the state government , what the people want is access to good roads”.
” I also must add that before we started this advocacy, it took us almost 2 years after the Award of the project the first time under President Buhari and was abandoned. It was because they did not do what they were supposed to do that made us leave our legislative work and started going from Ministry to Ministry looking for Government’s attention which we got. Our people will not want any situation where this wonderful work the contractor and federal government are doing here stop going by the intervention of the state government. It will be appalling that we come back here by December or January and nothing is happening here again and the raining season comes again and take up the whole of umuchima community. So I will use this opportunity to let our people know that the speed of work you are seeing today may be slowed, maybe temporarily but we pray is not permanent because of state Government’s interest to take over the project”.
” If Uzodinma fixes the road , it is commendable but our people will not forgive Gov. Uzodinma if he chases away the Federal government contractor and comes back with people still drawing lines and pointing at the gully.
Our people does not want any further pointing, what they want is full recovery of our road and farmlands. I therefore commend Umuchima indigenes and Ideato South people for the patient and support given to the contractor and his men at the site. I also urge our people to pray to God that now that our brother Gov. Uzodinma is coming back to do what he was supposed to have done 4-6years ago, that he makes sure he finishes it timely. Ideato is part of federal government and state government as well so which ever way we get the blessings, it is our right and we will take it”.
In same vain, the contractor, Mr. Friday Okorobia, confirmed that over 25% of the work had been completed, and he anticipated that by November, the road would be accessible to small vehicles if allowed to continue uninterrupted, providing much-needed relief to the community.
In his words, “Dredging work will soon commence if only we are given the opportunity to achieve it, provision is already ongoing, you can see the other side of the water, it’s been flooded by sharp sand. When we came in, the erosion gully was about 26meters wide and about 38meters heights but if you go in now, we are less than 15 meters wide. The remaining work left at Umuchima is less than 100meters which I believe in 2 weeks we will be done”, he disclosed.
Speaking on behalf of the community, President General of Umuchima, Nelson Ejikeopara, thanked Hon. Ugochinyere for his relentless efforts in drawing attention to the crisis. Ejikeopara acknowledged that while the community welcomed the state’s interest, they would not want the project to be stalled. “Even if the state takes over, the people of Umuchima will never forget that Ikenga was the one who came to our rescue and laid the foundation for this work,” he said.
Lead Express reports that the people of Umuchima, who have lost over 30 homes, farmlands, and markets to the devastating erosion, are hopeful that both the state and federal governments will work together to complete the project swiftly, ensuring the community’s full recovery.
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