By Walter Ononuju Nnadi
One unique thing with the roads being built in Imo state at the moment is that from subgrade to MC4 application, priming and asphalting are all done without shortchanging standards. The height of the roads (camber centre point) to the shoulders are all emptied to the drains for proper rain water channeling.
The Drainage system is another thing of interest; Before now, the entire Owerri municipality could be likened to a mini river after every rain. But, with the opening of all the drainage systems and construction of new ones, all those have become a part of our gory past. The lake Nwaebere (artificial lake) that was abandoned by previous administrations has been dredged to absorb all runoff emanating from, Okigwe, Wethral, Bank, MCC, transegbu roads while the underground channel from Douglas through Emanuel college to Aba road is been opened too.
St. Joseph Catholic Church road to Nkwere and the roundabout was a nightmare previously, but a trip to the place now will gladden your heart, for the sufferings of the people have been alleviated. Those displaced by flood as a result of poor or no drainage systems have all returned home and commuters are now putting the road to good use.
Imo has now become a huge construction site and the Ministry of Works now has the mandate and powers to approve and decline proceedings of road contracts, regulate and checkmate actions of contractors, as well as supervise and ensure compliance with set out standards.
Before now, roads in metropolis degenerated to become a filthy mess in months after construction by previous governments and at the time, only two roads namely; Egbu road and Owerri – Okigwe road were the only standing roads in the metropolis that were fit for mobility amidst other numerous rural roads bedeviled by erosion and neglect by Government.
Gov. Uzodimma, understanding the importance of fixing up our roads without further delay, upon assumption of office in January declared a state of emergency on Imo roads. Swiftly, he mobilized contractors already handling some of the roads to go back to site, reviewed some of the contracts and initiated news ones with abrupt emphasis on construction of drainages, opening of man holes and other rehabilitation works targeted at curbing flood menace within and outside the capital city of Owerri.
While many roads are still ongoing, ring roads behind Concorde Hotel namely; St.Thomas Moore road, Gozie Nwachukwu road, J.P Ajaelu road and other adjoining roads in the area have been completed. Oparanozie, Amigbo, Edede street roads have all been completed including the rehabilitation of Mgbidi – Omuma road.
This is a government of shared prosperity, and it begins with unfettered access to all Imolites to move from one point to another without experiencing man made delays occasioned by poorly constructed roads.