…Says: My Efforts Yielding Visible Results.
“Nothing wrong, if Imo govt assists,but let project be not abandoned”
The member representing Ideato federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwonu has expressed satisfaction at the progress of work currently being done by the Federal Government at the massive Umuchima gully erosion site in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.
This is even as the outspoken Lawmaker expressed joy that his efforts in drawing the attention of the Presidency, the National Assembly, as well as other relevant Federal Government agencies in Abuja, have begun yielding results that anybody could see.
It will be recalled that the massive Umuchima gully erosion site along the Orlu-Akokwa road, neighbouring Community to Ogboko, the hometown of former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Anayo Okorocha, is said to have swallowed nearly 30 residential buildings, vehicles including the many sections of the Nkwo Umuchima market, as well as washed away graves, among other losses until efforts of the lawmaker for Ideato federal constituency Hon Ikeagwuonu brought the federal government to begin work on the site.
Work was seriously ongoing as at the time Hon Ikeagwuonu and his entourage arrived at the devastating gully erosion site from Abuja on Wednesday, for inspection.
Hon Ikeagwuonu who was received on arrival by a large number of the
people of Umuchima community, Ideato South LGA, told newsmen after inspecting work being done at the various sections of the erosion site, said they came to inspect the work being done there, adding that the contractor has been able to cover almost one side of the gully running into about a kilometer. While at the same time, creating what he said, would serve as alternative road since the massive gully erosion menace has split the Orlu-Akokwa Road into two.
Hon Ikeagwuonu equally hinted that the contractor has been able to excavate the sand in order to recover the bridge at the Orashi River and part of the existing road heavily covered by massive sand caused by the erosion.
He said the filling of the other side of the gully would begin soon to save the Umuchima market from caving in completely into the massive gully.
Ikeagwuonu further hinted that with the speed work going on at the erosion site, a temporary bridge would have been constructed by December this year, to enable movement resume on the road.
He said he started shouting over the massive damages and suffering ,the gully erosion has brought on the people of Umuchima and Ideato federal constituency when it was becoming apparently obvious that both the federal and state governments were allegedly not doing anything about the disaster.
He recalled that it took almost two years since he personally embarked on the advocacy, to get work started on the Umuchima erosion site, noting that the contract awarded during former President Muhammadu Buhari administration was abandoned.
He disclosed that the last time he came to the site was when work just started, and expressed joy that almost a kilometer has been covered so far.
On the move by the Imo State Government to take over the project which is currently being done by the federal government, Hon Ikeagwuonu said:
“It is good news that the Imo State Government of Governor Uzodinma is coming to take over this project, as long as they get the job done. But it will be bad news if the job is abandoned.
“What matters is for the work to be done and Umuchima people to have access road…not who does it.”
He thanked President Tinubu and the Federal Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi for their intervention.
Meanwhile ,Hon Ikeagwuonu has revealed that the Government of Imo State has indicated interest to take over the project. The lawmaker said what matters is not who does the job, but to get it done so that the people of the area would heave a sigh of relief.
He hinted that work may temporarily slow down due the move to take over the project by the state government, but made it clear that it would be most unfortunate and disappointing if by December this year or January next year, nothing was being done on the project.
Mr Friday Okorobia who spoke for the contractor handling the project, Rockview, told newsmen that the important thing was for the Umuchima community to have access road, saying that it did matter whether the job is undertaken by the state or Federal Government.
He also thanked Hon Ikeagwuonu for his efforts.
Also speaking, the President General of the community lauded Hon Ikeagwuonu for his relentless effort in ensuring that the attention of the Federal Government was drawn to the project, as well as frequently visited the site to see that something was done.
