Alphonsus Nweze
As the major roads leading to the multi-billion naira Onitsha Main Market are cut into two halves the President of Anambra State Shippers Association, Hon. Emma Akpaka, has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently rehabilitate the roads in and around Onitsha metropolis.
Hon Akpaka lamented that most of the roads that lead to the markets in Onitsha and environs, which are the oil wells of the State are in deplorable condition and therefore affect the economic and commercial activities in those markets.
He said that the terrible condition of the roads was discouraging customers from far and near to come and buy their wares in Onitsha markets.
Said Akpaka: “These markets are our oil wells. Let’s protect them jealously. Remember, those customers are not into any bond with us. Therefore, any further neglect of their feelings may force them to divert to other states and neighbouring countries. For patronizing us, they are exposed to insecurity as well as delays and damage of goods associated with bad roads.”
He said that the situation of the roads are embarrassing and the continuous neglect of the roads smack of “an act of insensitivity and abuse of privilege.”
The Shippers Association president said it is a shame that the two major roads leading to Onitsha Main Market have almost been cut into two.
The Ogbo-Osisi through Niger Street to the Main market, he said is a no go area as it has almost been cut into two.
The same he said, is applicable to the New Market Road which has been cut off at Emeka Office junction, Bata junction, Ezenwa by Iboku junction and Zenith bank junction.
He also mentioned other bad roads leading to various Onitsha markets to include Bida Road, Sokoto Road, Creek Road, Christ Church-Ogalonye junction, Ochanja to Upper Iweka, Ochanja to Ziks Avenue, Porthacourt Road – Uga junction, Upper Iweka -Owerri Road, and Obodo-Ukwu Road, among many others.
Hon. Akpaka said most of these markets in Onitsha and environs were built by the personal efforts of the traders, hence the need for the state Government to encourage them by providing good roads around the markets.
Akpaka equally called the attention of the Governor to the roads linking Ose Market with the Onitsha Correctional Centre, saying that the road is dilapidated due to sand dredging along that axis.
He appealed to Governor Soludo to as a matter of urgency, create an agency that would regulate dredging of sand in the state especially around Creek Road and Niger Street that connects the River Niger Bridge with the famous Onitsha Main Market.
Akpaka complained that the activities of sand dredgers have always put the road and the entire area in bad shape. “as we speak, movement of Cargo and passengers along the axis is almost impossible.”
“This is why we are clamouring for a ‘jetty’ so that our customers from across the Niger can patronise us with ease.
Enough should be enough for these Sand dredgers. We should checkmate the abuse of their privileges within and beyond Onitsha metropolis before it becomes too late.” He ended.
