A Non-Governmental Organization known as Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, has decried the deplorable state of the Oyigbo-Afam road in Rivers State, describing it as a total neglect.
The group in a statement on Monday, said it is shocking that an area that hosts many multinationals cannot boast of good road network.
It said after reports of deplorable state of the roads, they decided to go see things for themselves to ascertain the true condition of the road.
The statement reads,
“The Oyigbo-Afam Road led the quest to the popular Kom-Kom road to the railway, at Obeama-Mirinwanyi community. It begins from Umusoya junction and it is a major access for all the multinationals (aforementioned) and other businesses operating in the LGA is not passable.
“Residents decried the long neglect by government and wonder why even the companies in the area cannot effect their corporate social responsibilities (CSR) to the people.
“In a chat with some residents and motorist/commuters, they lamented that the Government of the day in Rivers State have abandoned Oyigbo to their fate and only those with fleet of SUVs packed with well armed/riot looking Police officers can ply the road whenever they want to have any function in the area.
“Some motorist lamented their almost daily visits to their auto-mechanics due to the damages the failed road cause their vehicles. Some tricycle (popularly known as Keke) operators expressed pains in what they describe as dead traps because of their daily collapse with their passengers into the ditches on the roads.
“Commuters say they pay as much as N500 per passsenger on a tricycle (Keke) from the Umusoya junction to Railway/market which is not up to 1 kilometer.
“Small scale business owners told the Quest that the neglect has crippled businesses in the area and that has made life unbearable for the people.
“We call on the Rivers State government, the Federal Government, multinational companies, their subsidiaries and all concerned to swiftly and immediately act on the deplorable state of Oyigbo-Afam road.
