Emma Elekwa
People of Enugwuabo Ufuma in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State have raised the alarm over deplorable condition of the only access road leading to the community.
The agrarian community said to be among the food basket of the state, sharing boundary with Enugu state had suffered neglect including inaccessible road network.
Speaking with newsmen, President General of the town, Willie Okafor regretted the challenge they face exporting their farm produce due to the impassable roads.
He said most of their farm produce perish with them following inability of prospective buyers to access the area.
According to him, the roads got worse during rainy season, adding that the community was totally cut off from the rest of the state during the last rainy season.
Okafor said the community carried out palliative work on the road shortly after his assumption of office.
Cry for connection
He called on government assistance to ensure they reconnect with neighboring communities as well as end the era of farm produce wastage.
Okafor said, “Shortly after my assumption of office on January 5, 2026, I raised alarm over the terrible state of our roads. Our community was totally cut off from the rest of the state during the rainy season.
“Accessing the community through Enugu state or through Ufuma junction was difficult.
“People were left with no option than to bypass us to pass through Akpugoeze to connect the junction to Awka.
“Regrettably, this community is the food basket of the state. Anything put on ground will grow and produce bountiful harvest.
“As a result, I raised alarm, requesting for N3 million to do palliative work on the road.
“To the surprise of everyone, in less than 24hrs, I got N8mllion from our people.
“It was an eye opener of our people’s willingness to do their best to ensure the roads are fixed which is very basic. But there’s a limit you can go.
“We’re hoping to partner with our local government through the chairman, who had already taken a tour of the road, a road of 9.5km.
Help from government
“We’re also expecting help from state government. The road from Ekwulobia to Ufuma junction is almost done.
“It won’t take much to take it from Ufuma junction to our boundary with Enugu state.
“Enugu side is already done, remaining that of Anambra end. During the rainy season, you’ll pity the locals, especially the students.
“You need to watch them navigate the road with their shoes totally messed up. You don’t talk of vehicular movement, very pitiable.
“If it was to be rainy season, there’s no way any of these vehicles could have entered here. We’re totally cut off.
“People travel from various parts of Enugu state through this road to access markets in Anambra state.
“But with the deplorable condition of the roads, the food produce are wastes. Fruits grow and spoil at will.
“Our immediate plea to government is to help us in addition with the little we’ve done.
“It will assist us reconnect with Enugu and other communities as well as boast agricultural and economic activities here.”
