By Angela Nkwo-Akpolu

A new trend is emerging within Owerri metropolis and it is the rising number of young men who take to major roads filling potholes and seeking financial gratification. Owerri, the capital of Imo State, is considered one of the hubs for entertainment or what the Owerri man refers to as the centre for good life. Unfortunately, most of the roads are in a bad shape.

Youths filling potholes on roads.

From Dreamland Hotel Roundabout on World Bank road, to Newcastle Hotel  road, or the Ideal Suites and Hotel Roundabout, there are dangerous potholes one may describe as wicked as they could make a car owner visit the mechanic. Even the state owned broadcast medium, Orient FM and Television on Akanchawa road is not left out of its own share of potholes as it has one directly at its entrance.

While some roads have been out-rightly abandoned by commuters, because they have become impassable like the roads from Ideal Suites roundabout leading to the Federal Secretariat and the one leading to Irete on the opposite sides, forcing many to drive against traffic, driving on one way.

However, while many complain about the state of roads, certain young men have resorted to repairing them albeit temporarily. As early as 7:30a.m., they arrive the spot for repairs and scout round for sand, gravel, and or stones which they use to fill the holes on the roads.

Working in groups of twos, threes, and the highest being four, they fill the potholes with the materials which the get by digging up spots on the same road or from construction sites nearby. While one or two of the men do the actual sand filling, another stands with a bag collecting money from commuters who appreciate their efforts.

They work in a committed manner and change location as the need to fill up new potholes arises. While you see them on Newcastle hotel road on a Monday, by Tuesday they would have moved to World  Bank road working quietly, raising little income in the process, and no doubt contributing their quota to the efficient running of the state.

When sought to know their reasons, one who simply gave his name as Ugo said it was an avenue to keep themselves busy and stay out of crime. He explained that they engaged in such road rehabilitation in their local communities which he declined to mention, saying it also provided income to take care of their families at home.

According to him, government may not be able to maintain all the roads at the same time and that it was their own little way of contributing to the development and peace of the society. Ugo explained that if not maintained, such spots could become dark spots where miscreants could attack innocent road users when it was dark, adding that they were indirectly helping to maintain law and order by extension.

He, however, said they had not received any form of acknowledgement from the government. So the next time you are in Owerri metropolis, be on the lookout for Ugo and his road rescue missionaries.