The Member representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, on Saturday led an emergency inspection tour to the section of the Achi–Awgu Federal Road that was completely cut off by severe erosion following heavy rainfall.
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The inspection team included the Member representing Oji River Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Osita Eze; the Chairman of Oji River Local Government Area, Hon. Greg Anyaegbudike; the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, Hon. Uche Okolo; and the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Emesim Smart Bobby.
The visit came barely 48 hours after Hon. Onwuegbu raised concerns over the growing threat posed by erosion at the affected location. However, following Friday night’s heavy downpour, reports emerged early Saturday morning that the road had been completely severed, halting vehicular movement and cutting off a critical transport link between the affected communities.
During the inspection, the delegation assessed the damaged section of the road and proceeded to examine four additional locations along the same corridor that are also under serious threat from advancing erosion.
Speaking at the site, the Federal Controller of Works, Enugu State, Engr. Emesim Smart Bobby, expressed shock at the rapid deterioration of the road infrastructure. He attributed the erosion damage to the improper termination of culvert outlets, which accelerated water flow and undermined the structural integrity of the road embankment.
According to him, the affected drainage components were not included in the original contract awarded to the company that constructed the road.
In his remarks, Hon. Onwuegbu appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to treat the situation as an emergency, stressing the urgent need for immediate intervention and reconstruction to restore connectivity and ameliorate the suffering of the people.
Responding, the Federal Controller assured the delegation that the Ministry would take swift action and initiate the necessary processes to address the crisis with utmost urgency.
The Chairmen of Oji River and Awgu Local Government Areas, alongside Hon. Osita Eze, commended Hon. Onwuegbu for his prompt response and for facilitating the Controller’s immediate visit to the site. They also urged him to continue engaging the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Abuja to secure approval for urgent reconstruction works.
The inspection concluded with a group photograph at the affected site, underscoring the collective commitment of all stakeholders to finding a lasting solution to the erosion challenge threatening the vital federal road.