Despite issues, Akalites jubilate over speed breakers but…
3 min read
The much awaited speed breakers were yesterday 7 May 2024 fixed at the Afor Umuaka axis of Orlu Owerri Express Road. The exercise came into reality after years of warning notice by some public spirited Akalites concerning the unending road accidents on the express road which have collectively claimed many lives. About a year ago, Umuaka Times made a video documentary of the road and the dangers therein and the documentary was shared among Umuaka whatsapp groups and some stakeholders. In the documentary, the newspaper suggested options such as speed breakers as the most desirable solution to the tragedy.
Besides the call by Umuaka Times, other individuals and groups also took part in the call for a panacea regarding the loss of lives of innocent Akalites on the Orlu Owerri Express Road.
Moved by these calls, Akalites in America decided to finance the project. In a statement issued by the chairman of Umuaka union in America, Dr Favour Awuzu, the sum of N2, 500,000 was mapped out and transferred to Umuaka for the project. On Tuesday 7 May 2024, the dream came into reality as some workers from a private construction firm landed in Afor Umuaka to erect the speed breakers. Three speed breakers were fixed on one side of the road and another three fixed on the opposite lane, bringing the number of speed breakers to 6.
“Trouble” started immediately Umuaka Times posted the breaking news of the exercise at Umuaka Times Institute UTI. Many people were of the view that the job was poorly done and did not measure up or justify the amount of money voted for it. According to them, six very low speed breakers can never cost N2.5 million. Some of them were also of the view that the project was yet to be completed.
Another complaint that greeted the installation of the speed breakers last week was that they were very flat and the margin between one and another was also very far.
While addressing the issues raised by some concerned Akalites last week, Hon Ozioma Worship, the member of Imo State House of Assembly representing Njaba LGA, told Umuaka Times that it was not an easy task convincing the authorities to approve the speed breakers. He emphatically disclosed that if the height of the bumps were higher, the governor may not be happy with him. He also disclosed that the job was still ongoing as road signs would be erected on signposts in few days’ time. He appealed to many people to bear with the situation as more packages unfold soon.
Generally in Umuaka last week, the people, especially market men and women were seen jubilating and thanking those who financed the speed breakers in Umuaka
For now, the speed breakers have been fixed. A good number of Akalites is of the view that the exercise was not properly done while others have appealed for calm. Be that as it may, no matter the side one finds himself in the discussion, the motive still remains that Akalites want the unending motor accidents at Afor Umuaka to come to an end.
