Rivers Residents Lament As Eneka-Rumunduru Road Worsens
4 min read
Edith CHUKU
Residents, commuters, and motorists have continued to lament over the terrible state of a section of the Eneka-Rumunduru Road, in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
They have appealed to the state government to consider the devastating effect of the road on vehicular and human movement and come to their rescue by immediately rehabilitating the road.
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The pitiable condition of the failed section of the road on vehicles has led to an increase in the cost of transportation from Eneka to Rumunduru, Rumuodara, Eliozu, Culvert, as most drivers completely avoid the Eneka-Rumunduru axis, preferring a longer route.
Road users expressed concern that aside the clustering of rainwater on the road, the deep potholes which they described as terrifying posed great danger to their lives and vehicles.
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Eneka-Rumunduru road has become a deathtrap following the torrential rains which has increased the agony of motorists, tricyclists, business owners, pedestrians and residents.
The deteriorating state of the road through Rumuosunwo-Eneka has caused a lot of shop owners to close down businesses completely, while others have abandoned their shops not minding the expiration date.
The unbearable state of the road has generated concern among natives and residents of Eneka and Rumunduru, as they appeal to the government to salvage the people from their sufferings.
Elder Manuye Okwudiri who spoke with TNN expressed bitterness that the road has been dilapidated for over two years now.
Okwudiri said, “this suffering is not new, it’s not new, this road has been bad. Yes, this bad for over two years now, landlords have lost tenants, properties abandoned, both houses and shops because of the road.
“We are begging the government of the day to come to our rescue, please, we are suffering. I am living there(points to a building along the Eneka pipeline). This is very devastating, it is terrible. We go to church through here, my children swim this water in and out every day, haba, the suffering here is too much.
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“Government should help us. Yes, I think last year or so, the youths tried to cover some potholes but it didn’t work, so please, tell them to help us.”
A mini-bus driver, Emmanuel Freeborn explained that, “we don talk tire. We dey pay for loading here, go Rumuodara you go still pay, na drivers and passengers dey suffer the thing. Something of N50 now na N150, Eneka to Rumuodara now na N200 on a good day and N300 on a bad day.
“No be only the water, some of us dey pass OPM road to Eliozu enter Rumuodara. Some dey pass Tank to Rumuodara, so, the fuel we been dey use pass Eneka go Rumuodara now na times three we go use run round.
“No be say we no wan pass the water, the thing na we go fit pass? Potholes full this road, vehicle dey spoil inside so we better run round than go sink inside the water, na em be the thing.”
Miss Esther Solomon, “well, the road is disturbing me because I pass here to work Mondays to Fridays, it is disturbing me. All I can say is that Eneka people need help, the road is very bad.”
Also, a group known as Concern Citizens of Eneka Clan, in a release made available to TNN said, “the peace loving people of Eneka and Rumunduru Communities both in Obio Akpor Local Government Area are humbly appealing to the state government led by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to come to our rescue of infrastructural decay and unmotorable roads linking to other notable communities.
“We express our gratitude to His Excellency for inclusion of Eneka Clan in the Ring road project which will commence in no distance time. Your Excellency sir, the said Eneka/Rumunduru link road will be of good help and relief to our people during the construction of the ring road, as we appeal with all humility in us. We assure you of our continous support and Loyalty and total cooperation during the construction of the failed section of the road.
“We believe that you will look into our appeal and grant us our request as we have always believed in your administration. The Eneka/Rumunduru link road has been in a deplorable state for over two years now and each rainy season worsens its dilapidation. This has adversely affected economic activities, depreciated the living condition of people sojourning in the communities along the road and led to the flooding of homes; disparaging some villagers.
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“Commuters, motorists and residents have been given false hope and expectation over time on the rehabilitation of this road, which has further demoralized them and making them lose hope for increased standard of living. We plead with the Executive Governor of Rivers State to kindly consider our appeal.”
