Nneyi-Umueri-Anam Road in Deplorable State: Anambra East/West Constituents Lambast Representatives
By Raymond Ozoji
Constituents from Anambra East and West have strongly criticized their elected representatives at both the state and federal levels over the worsening condition of the Nneyi-Umueri-Anam Road, describing the situation as catastrophic and unacceptable.
During an on-the-ground investigation on Tuesday, August 26, this journalist observed that the Nneyi-Umueri-Anam Road described by locals as a strategic route has been abandoned for over five years, despite connecting to the home of the current House of Representatives member for Anambra East and West.
Residents disclosed that the road has become a nightmare, riddled with massive potholes and impassable sections from end to end. It is now virtually inaccessible to small vehicles, with even tippers getting trapped in its worst sections.
Farmers and tipper drivers who spoke during the investigation shared harrowing accounts of their daily struggles. Many called for urgent government intervention, explaining that the road becomes completely unusable during rainfall due to extensive flooding.
Chukwuma Udekwe, a native of Nneyi-Umueri with farmland along the road, described it as their “worst nightmare,” noting that the situation has remained unchanged for over five years.
He appealed to both federal and state lawmakers to intervene immediately to alleviate their suffering.
Similarly, Mrs. Benedict Egwuonwu and Mrs. Francisca Egbo, farmers from Nneyi-Umueri, echoed Udekwe’s concerns.
They recounted their daily ordeal of carrying produce on their heads or using wheelbarrows, as vehicles are unable to ply the road.
According to them, the road from Nkwo-Nneyi to its connection point at Anam in Anambra West is in a state of total disrepair.
This journalist also witnessed a tipper stuck in a large pothole, illustrating the extent of the road’s deterioration. The driver, Emmanuel Nwogbe, confirmed the severity of the road’s condition, revealing that many tippers had been damaged beyond repair as a result of navigating the route.
Nwogbe also claimed that the Senator representing Anambra North previously used the road despite its condition, but has since abandoned it, underscoring how completely inaccessible it has become.
Another tipper driver, Mr. Godwin Eneanya, a native of Anambra West, was seen repairing his truck near a pothole. He told this journalist that his vehicle had broken down while attempting to pass through the road, and lamented the lack of action by their representatives.
Eneanya accused lawmakers of neglecting their constituents, insisting that even if the federal and state governments had failed, local legislators should have taken it upon themselves to implement palliative measures such as filling potholes with laterite to ease movement.
A commercial cyclist, Ikenna Ekwealor, also described the road as “completely dilapidated”, stating that even motorcycles struggle to pass through. He stated that the Nneyi-Umueri-Anam Road connects several communities in the Omambala region, including the hometown of the current federal representative for Anambra East and West.
Ekwealor further noted that the road has been left to deteriorate for more than five years, with no tangible effort from either the legislative or executive arms of government.
Efforts to obtain comments from key political figures yielded mixed results. Hon. Patrick Obalum Udoba, who represented Anambra West in the 8th Assembly, did not respond to calls.
However, Hon. Obi Calistus Nweke, the current representative for Anambra East at the State Assembly, acknowledged the road’s terrible condition. He claimed that the state government is aware of the situation and would address it in due course. Nweke added that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo is already working on several major roads in the region, including Awkuzu to Otuocha, Aguleri-Uno to Aguleri-Otu, and Awkuzu through Igbariam to Ayamelum.
He also stated that the Local Government Chairmen of Anambra East and West could apply palliative measures while waiting for the governor’s intervention, noting that the previous administration failed to address the issue.
Attempts to reach the federal House of Representatives member, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls. Similarly, efforts to contact Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, were futile as his phone was switched off at the time of filing this report.
