Residents of the Ngor Okpala Local Government Area in Imo State are grappling with severe infrastructure decay, particularly the deplorable state of the roads. Community members, through a socio-cultural group known as the Ngor Okpala Renaissance League, have raised concerns over how the dilapidated roads are causing them significant economic, educational, and social hardships.
Dr. Ibe Nwoko, a leader of the organization, expressed frustration at the situation, sharing his personal ordeal of having to wade through flooded roads during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Ngor Okpala Council of Traditional Rulers. “We had to remove our shoes and stockings to cross the waterlogged areas. There is no motorable road leading to the local government headquarters at Umuneke,” he stated.
According to Nwoko, the roads in the entire local government area are in disastrous condition, with no access to hospitals or schools. He described the situation as a long-standing issue that has worsened over time, blaming both the state and federal governments for neglecting the region.
Nwoko listed the major roads in disrepair, including the Ihette junction to Umuneke Road, Ulakwo-Nguru-Umuneke-Orisheze Road, and Umuohie Ukwu-Obokwe-Ogbeke Road, among others. He noted with disappointment that since 1999, no significant road infrastructure has been constructed in the area, despite multiple representatives at both the state and federal levels.
He called on the federal government to declare Ngor Okpala a disaster zone, emphasizing that past and present administrations have failed the people of the region.
