By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been urged to urgently repair the Celestine Omehia Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital because it would make life meaningful to citizens plying the road.
This appeal was made by a non-governmental and advocacy group known as Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, which visited the place and had talks with some residents of the area.
The group said the road, popularly known as SARS Road, is currently in a deplorable condition, affecting the economic activities of the area.
In a statement, Citizens Quest said it decided to check the state of the road after some “concerned residents of Celestine Omehia Road popularly known as SARS Road, Port Harcourt” called its attention to it.
According to the group, “Omehia Road is located between Rukpokwu and Rumuodumaya parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The peculiarity and importance of the road lie in the fact that it connects four different communities which include Choba, Aluu, Rumuagholu and most importantly Port Harcourt International Airport. The road also leads to one of the international markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.”
“A young man by name Mr Monday whom we met at the middle of the bad portion, who selflessly helps direct vehicles to the right spots so as not to get stock, confirmed to Citizens Quest Team that the portion got worse months ago.
“One of the motorists, Mr Chukwuemeka, said the havoc the bad portion is causing on their vehicles is on the high side and implored the government to find a lasting solution to the problem. Other road users’ lament how the portion of the road gets their vehicles damaged and waste their time on a daily basis.
“Also, one of the Elders of Rumuodumaya, Mr Friday Nyesom Ekwe decried the neglect of the road by the state and the local government. He passionately appeals to both levels of government to come to their aid.
“A Youth Leader, Mr Ejekwu Promise pleaded with the Governor of Rivers State, to support and prevail on the LGA Chairman, Bar. George Ariolu to swing into action and have the road fixed as the road falls within the jurisdiction of the Obio-Akpor LGA. He was specific about the need for proper drainage as the absence of it caused the damage observed in different parts of the road,” the statement further stated.
Citizens Quest, therefore, asked the state government to urgently rehabilitate the road “to ease the movements of all and sundry” and further advised Mr Wike “to expand the road and ensure there is drainage to forestall damages after the repairs or reconstruction of the road.”
