Residents of Ifite-Awka appeal to Governor Soludo for urgent road rehabilitation and drainage as heavy rains worsen flooding.
Residents of Ifite-Awka in Awka, Anambra State, have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to urgently rehabilitate Oguguo Nebe Avenue and address recurring flooding in the area.
The approximately two-kilometre unpaved road is reportedly submerged whenever heavy rainfall occurs, disrupting movement for residents, students, workers and commuters.
The Guardian’s investigation found that more than 40 hostels, mostly two- and three-storey buildings, are located along the road, with an estimated student population of about 3,000.
The road also provides a link to Mgbakwu, the College of Health Technology and communities towards Isuaniocha and Achalla.
Flooding claims two lives
The latest appeal followed a heavy downpour that reportedly swept away an unidentified woman and a tricycle operator.
The tricycle operator’s body was reportedly recovered about 24 hours later from a ditch around Miracle Junction, Ifite-Awka.
The incident triggered a protest by commercial tricycle operators, who expressed concern over the dangerous state of the roads and recurring floods.
Students, residents and staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, have also complained about deteriorating roads and flash floods around the institution.
Residents said indiscriminately dumped refuse blocks drainage channels, causing floodwater to spill onto roads.
Residents raise security concerns
Residents said the poor road condition has also created security concerns in the community.
According to the report, unknown gunmen who invaded Ifite-Awka and killed some Fulani residents were believed to have accessed the area through the Nebe-Tamis axis.
Residents said the incident has increased concerns about the vulnerability of the community.
Emma Nnaemeka, a resident, described the situation as both a humanitarian and security concern.
He appealed to the state government to tar the road and construct adequate drainage channels.
“Each time it rains, the road is submerged. It traps and damages vehicles and tricycles,” Nnaemeka said.
He added that residents sometimes abandon their vehicles when rainfall begins because of the flooding.
‘Students can’t move when it rains’
A linguistics expert at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Professor Ihejiraka, also called for accelerated rehabilitation of Nebe Avenue and surrounding roads.
He said the poor condition of the roads was directly affecting students and other residents during heavy rainfall.
“Once it rains, the students can’t move and go to school again,” he said.
Ihejiraka described the recurring flooding as a serious humanitarian challenge because it disrupts education and limits safe movement.
Residents are now calling for road rehabilitation and adequate drainage infrastructure before further heavy rainfall worsens the situation.
