The Andoni axis of the Unity Road is fast washing away occasioned on the current erosion occurring at the bridge head of Asarama-Ebukuma.
This part of the road, was constructed without pilling the run way even as the river was sand filled, leaving the high and strong current passage to locate and destroy the runway, where ordinarily water current would have been protected through proper pilling or embarkment.
I challenge anyone passing through that road to give a personal account of that road since Friday 5th July till date; that assessment would probably crown the truth about road.
Time is and now is the time for the people of Andoni ethnic nationality to recount their blessing on how much they have expended on tax payment over the years.
This is propelled by the adamant nature of the Rivers State Government to call the contracting firm handling the Unity Road to order on their inability to handle a professional job.
The Andoni people having seen the construction work on the road are happy and feel liberated on the conscience that they will no longer be engulf in high fares while traveling home.
But today, the reverse is the case as the road is not completed rather the area considered to be done with are washing off. What a world and administration
It is worrisome as the people’s hope are now dashed to high level erosion taking off the Asarama Ebukuma axis of the road, without remedy.
During the wake of 1991 the entire indigenes of Obolo ethnic nationality in the present Andoni local government area of Rivers State were greeted with cheers and enthusiasm of witnessing some rays of light at least walking on a good road within the territory of Obolo.
This was at the instance of the brokered news of the award of the construction and building of the Ngo Oyorokoto express road on the Andoni main land by the Rivers State government under the then leadership of chief Rufus Ada George, the Peripelebo 1 of Okrika Kingdom.
The joy became seemingly real when the Local Government Council at the instance of Hon. Godson Inwon Dienye, First Executive Chairman of Andoni/Opobo Local Government Area began the construction of the said road.
Information available at my disposal revealed that Rivers State government had ordered the termination of the road construction started by Andoni Council with the claims that it was a state Government road, hence cannot be handled by the Local Council.
It is incumbent to know that during the year under review, the Rivers State government then had a son of the soil, Engineer, Sampson Adumu Ngerebara as the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, and the order was allegedly said to have proceeded from his office, I stand to be corrected if at all.
But, what I am sure of, was that, the said commissioner, Engineer Sampson who incidently was the first ever politically appointed commissioner from Andoni as a local government hails from a community called Isiama in Andoni. That also is my community by the Grace of God. And I can recalled that Engineer Sampson was very-very optimistic about the take-off and completion of the said road when he told the community in a Town hall meeting at the town square that, all the monies meant for that road was in his private account, assuring them that even at the expiration of his tenure, the road would be completed. What a joy! That a son has emerged to do the Obolo people this good thing.
Fellow compatriots, that road either embarked upon by the Rivers State government or Andoni Local Government, ended at Agana, leaving those from Agwut-Obolo to Oyorokoto at the mercy of flood and untold accident during winter and wilderness experience coupled with more accident at summer season. May God help us.
More so, from historical accounts of well meaning Nigerians, the road from Ogoni to Andoni and other parts of the state had its roots from that very administration led by his Excellency Chief Rufus Ada-George and of course playing some roles to achieving it.
That road finally came into fore and approval was made as construction began under the administration of his Excellency Dr. Peter Otunanya Odili of the peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Indeed, that road was according to history and watchword termed a one stop gap between the Andonis and their brothers, the Ogonis hence it was Christened “Unity Road”.
Yes, innovations are welcome development, as the work on the road creeps it was further decided and redesigned to connect the Opobo people with the name found as suitable. That road, without mincing words was the main issue for political campaigns not only by the PDP but by other political Parties who intended to win the votes of the electorates in the guise of completing it if elected by the people.
However, His Excellency Dr. Odili spent Eight Years in the Brick House, and left without completing the all-important road to not only the Andoni people but their brothers and the entire Nigeria.
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and other political Parties again centered their debates and campaigns on that singular road to canvass for votes, especially in the 2007 general elections that brought in His Excellency Sir Celestine Ngozichim Omehia and later his cousin the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Permit me to say that, after the initial four years first tenure, another two years and half is gone into the second tenure of the Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s administration. What is the plight of the people of Andoni, what is their sin that a particular project could not be completed?
I am worried if this very road would come to pass. The very December which the people were promised to drive with their cars to Ngo-Town, headquarters is here and where are we? It is 5 months to end the year.
The economic, political, social and cultural benefits to be derived from this road can not be overemphasized as the state stand to count its gains when completed.
The fear of this administration commissioning this project grips me each time I evaluate political activities going on in the state either openly or not.
I am particularly worried now than ever because, days and months waits for nobody and as the time is speedily running, so is political activities getting set to begin, when all attentions will be focused on who occupies where and not how to complete Ongoing projects.
Let me use this medium to appeal to Rivers State Government to consider the people on the axis where the “Unity Road” is passing through for a positive way of life.
I am convinced that if the road is completed, there must definitely be a better means of power supply as the people may be linked to national grid, just as we have in the Asarama axis.
Again, I am optimistic that election personnel’s and materials will no longer be wrecked in boat mishaps, adequate Land transportation system will be witness by the people.
The Andoni people in Rivers State pays the highest fare to and fro their villages, these could be a thing of the past if my prayer is harkened to.
May I further appeal to Rivers State Government that the Unity Road should not be abandoned and forgotten as the Ngo-Oyorokoto road without any truth about it.
Andoni people want to enjoy their taxes and benefits accruing from their God given Natural resources.
Andoni people will no longer accept any form of campaign in the name of completing the Unity Road.####
With James Mgboineme
