A socio-cultural group in Abia, called Coalition for Ukwa Leadership Accountability, has expressed worry over the deplorable state of roads in Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency.
The group made its position known at a news conference held at the Obohia Town Hall in Ukwa East Local Government Area on Monday.
Spokesman of the group, Mr Kingsley Nna, said it was disheartening that the only oil-bearing area of the state had nothing meaningful to show, in terms of infrastructure and human capital development, since the return of democratic governance in 1999.
Nna said that the lack of basic social amenities and infrastructure had made the area unattractive and unviable for investments.
According to him, the poor state of the roads in particular has caused serious downturn in economic activities in the area.
“This unfortunate scenario has plunged our people into untold economic hardship, especially during the rainy season.”
The group regretted that the area had remained economically backward, in spite of its rich mineral deposit.
It blamed the “ugly situation” on “poor political leadership and abysmal representation”.
It said: “One of the projects awarded by the Federal Government in 2007 is the Obehie-Azumini-Ukanafun Road.
“It is a major road in the area but has been abandoned and now constitutes a death trap to motorists.”
It further said that the dilapidation of the roads had made the area a safe haven for criminal elements, including armed robbers and kidnappers.
The group threatened to petition the anti-graft agencies in the country and Bureau for Public Procurement to review the projects awarded in Ukwa from 2007 to date by the Niger Delta Development Commission to ascertain the extent of work done vis-a-vis the amount so far paid.
It expressed its readiness to partner with the relevant agencies to ensure that issues concerning the development of the area were properly addressed.
It further said that it would not compromise its standard in demanding accountability and the delivery of democracy dividend from political leaders at the federal, state and local government levels.
Another executive member of the group, Mr Chidi Nwankpa, further regretted that the area lacked functional health center with a resident doctor.
Nwankpa said that the group was resolute and united in its decision to get things right in the area