By Juliana Nwachukwu/Ogochukwu Mokwugwo/Onyinye Okechukwu :
The residents of Onitsha, Anambra State, have dismissed as false and unfounded, the allegation making the round in some quarters and social media that the second rain has washed off the Menax/Upper Iweka road Project.
It was alleged that the project being constructed by Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is sub-standard and as such that the governor has failed in his pledge to provide quality roads to the masses.
Denying the allegation, the residents and the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ifeanyi Okeoma contended that the video allegation was an affront to throw spanners into the good works of the state government, adding that nothing of the sort ever happened.
“Everyone of us is here on this road and you can see that nothing happened at all. We actually saw the video last night and first thing this morning, we came here to find out that nothing like that happened as you can see for yourself.
“The contractor worked on Sunday and closed for the day and he stopped at a small portion that is about one foot and there was a heavy down pour and the base was blocked and that point is about one foot that got washed off.
“As you can see that we are all standing on the stone base material that was primed so we are shocked at that mischievous video sponsored by the opposition to throw spanners into the good works of the state government and as you can see work is in progress,” he said.
The Manager of Zodic Construction Company, Mr Mark Chu contended, “We only have about one foot left of the entire Moore- Upper Iweka Road Project Ochanja and we are still working and we have continued from where we stopped.
“We want to reiterate that our company is providing Anambra State good quality and durable road infrastructure and we cannot be distracted by mischief makers and the public should disregard those false stories”.
The Caretaker Committee Chairman, Fegge Landlords Association, Mr Okwudili Obinwanne described the viral video as capital lie, adding that they are residents of the area and witnessed the heavy down pour yesterday insisting that nothing happened.
“We find it difficult to believe that someone in his right frame of mind would go to the extent of blackmailing the governor with such falsehood.
“You the Journalists are here to see for yourself and make on the spot investigation into what happened and from what you have seen so far you can attest that this is the handwork of mischief makers and we the residents of this area wish to warn that we will not tolerate such misinformation of the general public by renegades,” he said.
The Moore – Upper Iweka Road Project is 2.3 km and so far according to the contractor, up to 1. 7 km of the project has been done.
Mr. Chu further noted that the Ochanja road project is currently having a water fountain at the roundabout which used to be a mountain of refuse dump in the past before contract was awarded to them .
“The project apart from the water fountain would also have street lights with wide water drainage system which empties at a larger canal in order to protect the road and the market from flooding and protecting the goods being owned by traders.
He urged the traders and residents in the area not to block the drains with waste, adding that provisions are being made for the dumping of waste which would be cleared as quickly as possible.
*Juliana, Ogochukwu and Onyinye are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
