AWKA—ANAMBRA State Youth Council (AYC) has lashed out at the Federal Government over the continued deterioration of federal roads in the South East zones, particularly the abandoned Oko-Umunze - Ibinta road, saying that the Federal Government treats roads in the zone with “lukewarm and passive disposition”AYC said that even the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is on a leave of absence in the south East zone.Lamenting the sufferings of the road users in the area, the council called on the Federal Government “tobeef up road construction and repairs in this long-neglected zone”.
It reminded the Government of the need to give roads in the zone urgent attention because of the threat of erosion in some of the statesin the zone.The council in a press statement signed by its chairman, Mr. Emma Umerah called on the government to reverse “this discriminatory policy on South East roads.
”The Anambra State Youth Council (AYC) observe with a sense of disquiet the perfunctory, lukewarm and passive disposition of the Federal Government of Nigeria towards the construction and repair of roads in the South East. It is on record that the high and alarming incidence of erosion in the South, East has imperiled the condition of road networks in the geo-political zone, in some cases completely severing the roads thereby rendering litherto close-knit communities incommunicado as well as frustrating economic activities.
"Since the advent of the present government five years ago, hundreds of billions of Naira have been earmarked for road construction and maintenance, but the AYC regrets to observe that road construction andmaintenance in the South Eastern states of Nigeria have little to show by way of the dividends of roadswork and repairs. Indeed, it is not an exaggeration to say that FERMA is on a leave of absence from SouthEastern roads.
”The AYC is puzzled by the fact that while the construction giant Julius Berger maintains a highprofile visibility in the South West, the FCT, Abuja, Lagos and the Northern states, it has no presence whatsoever in the South East. Surely, it appears that some geopolitical zones in Nigeria are more equal than others.”
While demanding for the reversal of this discriminatory policy, the AYC urged the Federal Government to beef up road construction and repairs in this long-neglected zone. In particular, the Government should ensure the timely completion of works on the Ekwuluobia - Umunze-Ibinta road awarded to SETRACO, as well as the Onitsha - Owerri road being handled by CCC”, AYC noted.
