The people of Amutenyi Obollo-Afor community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State have appealed to the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to quickly stop work on a road project in the area for poor job.
The people said the appeal became necessary so that the good intentions of the state government would not be subverted.
South East Trust reports that the project is the Obollo-Afor-Amalla-Otukpo Benue State old federal road.
In a petition to the state commissioner for works, Engr. Greg Nnaji, which was made available to SouthEast Trust, the community alleged that the contractor compromised the size of the road.
According to the President General of the Community, Chief Emeka Abba, the drainage system is being constructed close to the centre of the old road, reducing the width from 18 to 13 metres.
He said the community had undertaken an investigation on the project and found the work was compromised.
“In furtherance to our investigation, we involved a road maintenance engineer who measured the said road and that of Orba road, i.e between the Obollo-Afor roundabout and Orba Junction cutting across Ohulor Obollo-Afor/Igugu/Imilike.
“Surprisingly, we discovered that Amutenyi-Obollo-Afor/Amalla road reconstruction is measuring 25ft drainage-to-drainage while that of Ohulor/Igugu Imilike road ending at Orba junction measured 35ft drainage-to-drainage.
“It was discovered that he was compromised by some businessmen whose Petrol station and business premises are located on the road under construction,” Abba said.
The community thanked the governor for delivering on his campaign promises but said they could not allow the contractor to rubbish government’s good intention.
“Consequently, we urge you to conduct a holistic site inspection on the said road project and instruct the contractor to stop work pending the outcome of your inspection.
“It is our resolve that any structure that threatens and frustrates the reconstruction and delivery of quality road at Amutenyi Obollo-Afor Amalla road be demolished for overriding public interest.”
However, the state commissioner for works, Engr Greg Nnaji, said that he was surprised at the action of the community.
Nnaji, who spoke on telephone interview with our correspondent, said that the issue was earlier resolved at a town hall meeting with the leaders of the community.
“All over the world, the standard measurement for a road of that type is 7.3 metres but we’re doing eight metres. At the meeting, they agreed that the project should go on with the contractor handling it. After the meeting, the contractor went on Easter break. Subsequently, the coronavirus lockdown followed,” Nnaji said.
He wondered why suddenly the same people, who agreed that the contractor should continue work would now turn around to accuse the same contractor they said should continue with the project.
