Considering the plight the people and residents of Ezinnihitte Mbaise local government area of Imo State are going through on the major road leading to Ezinnihitte Mbaise Local Government Area Headquarters, which cut across five INEC Wards, the Imo State House Of Assembly has summoned the contractor for abandoning the road project.
This was the outcome of the complaint, through a Motion, brought before the House by the Member Representing Ezinnihitte Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, on Thursday, 17/04/2025, with a continued debate on Tuesday, 29/04/2025.
Speaking on the matter, Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu, explained that the road is the major link to Ezinnihitte Mbaise and Ezinnihitte Mbaise Local Government Area Headquarters, which cut across five INEC Wards, namely ; Itu, Okpofe/Ezeagbogu, Eziudo, Ihitte and Obama/Umunama.
According to Dr Agbasonu, the road has been in a deplorable condition since the time of the Administration of His Excellency Dr Ikedi Godson Ohakim (2007-2011), and that since then, whenever it rained his people finds it difficult to use the road, as it has become a nightmare.
In his words, Hon Dr Agbasonu, who was close to tears stated, *”Anytime it rains, the road becomes impassable due to heavy flood at different spots, and the deplorable condition of the road has caused lots of hardship to my people”.*
Still lamenting on the worsening condition of the road, Dr Henry Agbasonu said, *”Farmers, school children, the elderly people and other strategic road users, including motorists find it difficult to ply the road, mostly, during the rainy season, as vehicles get stuck and most people are forced to take alternative routes, which are usually longer, in this day of high cost of fuel”.*
However, with the assurance of the quality road infrastructure of Governor Hope Uzodimma constructed across the state, the only voice from Ezinnihitte Mbaise State Constituency in the Imo State House Of Assembly, comforted himself as he beckoned on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices to the Motion on the abandoned road project, which he said covers about 7.2 km.
The Motion which was seconded by the Minority Leader And Member Representing Aboh-Mbaise State Constituency, Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie, was co-sponsored by the following 17 lawmakers :
1. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie.
2. Hon Samuel Nkem Otuibe.
3. Rt Hon Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh.
4. Hon Okey Ernest Udeze.
5. Rt Hon Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu.
6. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.
7. Hon Obinna Ambrose Egu.
8. Hon Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie.
9. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum.
10. Hon Ikenna Martins Ihezuo.
11. Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.
12. Hon James Uba Esile.
13. Ozioma Worship Benneth Ebonine.
14. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji.
15. Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu.
16. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.
17. Hon Uzoma Francis Osuoha.
The Motion was supported by the following lawmakers who asserted that the contractor be invited to explain why he abandoned the all important and sensitive road :
1. Hon Princewill Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh-Mbaise).
2. Hon Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Ofurum (Owerri-North).
3. Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano).
4. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).
5. Hon Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).
Satisfied with contributions from Honourable Members, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :
* Be It Resolved By This Honourable House To Invite The Country Who Was Awarded The Contract For This Road But Has Since Absconded To Explain Why He Abandoned The Contract.
The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to the appropriate quarters.
*Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha*
30/04/2025