Thread by @TheICIR

THREAD 👇🏿

INVESTIGATION: Abandoned, poorly executed @NDDCOnline road projects in Abia remain source of worry to communities (PART 1) | The ICIR tinyurl.com/y3znxp9a

Cc. @hartng

There were feelings of excitement among the people of Ohuru-Ndoki Community when three contractors were prequalified to bid for their road project in 2008. They were happy that after a long wait, their prayers were about to be answered.

But years later, their dream is yet to materialise. The people are disillusioned. tinyurl.com/y3znxp9a

It served as the major gateway linking Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states with parts of Ngwa land. But after it became unmotorable, economic activities for the people who are predominantly farmers were grounded, making life difficult for most of them.

It became hard for them to go out and sell their products just as it was difficult for people to come into the community. The road became a death trap for travelers too. tinyurl.com/y3znxp9a

According to Eze Obinna Nwagbara, the traditional ruler of Ohuru-Ndoki Autonomous Community in Ukwa East Local Government, “to use motorcycles, you would have to pay huge sums since cars can’t pass through the road. And so, after harvests, we can’t sell.” tinyurl.com/y3znxp9a

In 2007, Nwagbara invited a contractor, Benjamin Nwosu, owner of Akomec Nigeria Limited, along with a Shell Engineer, identified simply as Idowu, and both of them took the measurement of the road.

He said the decision was taken with the hope that something would be done about the state of the road, considering its huge economic importance and coupled with the fact that Obohia is one of the major oil-producing communities in Ukwa East. tinyurl.com/y3znxp9a

Click to read full report here: icirnigeria.org/investigation-…