By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu:
The Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Charles Soludo to direct the Works Commissioner to immediately carry out palliative works on the Umueze Anam-Oroma road to reduce the sufferings of Ndi Anambra West.
The resolution followed a motion moved under ‘Matters of Urgent Public Importance’ by Mr. Patrick Udoba representing Anambra West State Constituency and seconded by Mr. Ejike Okechukwu representing Anaocha II State Constituency during plenary on Nov. 8.
The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor, who presided over the plenary, noted that Gov. Charles Soludo had flagged off the construction of many dilapidated roads in Anambra State, expressing optimism that Anambra West, especially Umueze Anam-Oroma Road, is among the roads.
The Speaker put it to a voice vote, and the lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion through voice votes.
Dwelling on the motion, Mr. Udoba said that the devastating effect of the recent flooding in Anambra West Local Government Area has cut off Umueze Anam-Oromaetiti road after it was submerged by the recent flooding in Nigeria.
According to him, the flooding has caused serious losses in lives, properties, and government infrastructure and has displaced many of Ndi Anambra West, who are predominantly farmers.
“Though the water level has gone down, it has devastated my people and the environment. Among numerous damages, the flood has cut off the Umueze Anam-Oroma road, which is the only access road to more than 10 communities in Anambra West.
“The bad condition of the road will worsen the already bleeding economic and social activities of the area occasioned by the economic hardship and the flooding,” he stressed.
The lawmakers that spoke in favour of the motion, including the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Pascal Agbodike, expressed the need for the road to be urgently constructed as the area is one of the food baskets of the state.
Also at plenary, Gov. Charles Soludo, in a letter sent to the House through the Speaker, informed the State legislature of his intention to present the 2023 Proposed Budget Estimates on Nov. 10.