By Emmanuel Iheaka

OWERRI — Residents of Amaimo/Umukabia Autonomous Community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State have appealed to the state and federal governments to urgently rehabilitate the Amaimo–Umukabia–Ikpem–Okigwe road, which they say has become completely impassable.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the traditional ruler of the community, Eze Friday Uzoeshi, lamented years of neglect, noting that the road has deteriorated to the point where even pedestrians struggle to pass.

According to the monarch, the condition of the road has plunged the community into hardship, limiting access to essential services and crippling economic activities. He also pointed to a brown-coloured stream that serves as the community’s only source of drinking water, describing the situation as “unacceptable.”

Eze Uzoeshi appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently intervene. He recalled that the administration of former Governor Ikedi Ohakim began constructing a bridge on the route, but the project was later abandoned.

“This road connects us to Okigwe. The government of Chief Ikedi Ohakim started this bridge, but it was abandoned. We appeal to our governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to come to our rescue,” he said.

He warned that the road’s deplorable condition has far-reaching consequences:

Access to medical care is severely limited, endangering lives.

Students and teachers struggle to get to school.

Farmers cannot transport their produce, leading to spoilage and financial loss.

“We are citizens of this land, deserving of good lives and basic infrastructure. We beg our leaders to save us from this suffering,” the monarch said. “We need help to rebuild our road, provide clean water and electricity, and improve our health and education facilities.”

President General of the community, Mr. Oliver Ndukwe, echoed the concerns, noting that teachers increasingly avoid the community’s school due to the inaccessible road — a trend he said is harming children’s education.

Ndukwe pledged that the community would remain grateful if government authorities step in to fix the road and provide potable water.