ABA a city in Ruins.... Vote #APGA in Abia come 2015, True & real RESCUE mission. You cannot tell the story of Aba without talking about Ariaria International Market, which is the most popular market in the city. In fact, Ariaria used to be the face of the town but not anymore. Today, going to the market through Faulks Road is an agonizing experience because a journey of a few minutes can last for hours because of the terrible condition of the road, resulting in traffic bottleneck. But if Faulks Road is potholes infested, the popular Ukwu Mango is a scene from the pit of hell. Before now, the spot used to be flooded but somehow passable but after the state government ‘worked’ on it, the drainage was blocked. The result is that the place has become totally impassable. Like most parts of Aba, you cannot wear shoes when going to Ariara. The reason is that all the surroundings are flooded. The only way out is to remove your shoes and fold your trousers, wrappers or skirt to knee lengthand trek. In fact, when the heavens open up, keke riders and bus drivers disappear because, if they don’t, their vehicles will be submerged. “When it rains, people’s goods are destroyed by flood. My wife’s wares were damaged, that was why she left the place. Considering the status of Ariaria as an international market, the state of the environment leaves so much to be desired,” Chiemela said. Bakassi Street, in the Ariaria area, which has a large concentration of shoemakers, does not belong to this age and time. Umuocham Road that links Aba – Owerri Road is cut off. Osusu Road leading to Ama Ogbonnais also cut off. The popular MCC Road is in a terrible state, especially at the point around the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Aba headquarters area.Powerline Road is also bad just as some portions of St Michael’s Road and Asa Road also contend with massive moulds of waste. Eziukwu Road is in a mess. But Port Harcourt Road is simply in a class of its own. An arterial road, it should pass as one of the worst roads on the face of the earth. There, vehicles are trapped every day. In fact, only trucks and other big vehicles ply the road. A car can easily be buried in the gullies on the road and when it happens, the army of jobless young men in the area will jump into the muddy water and push out the trapped vehicle for a fee. They call it, ‘self empowerment.’ If all the major hubs are dilapidated, the adjoining or inner streets are simply non-existent. Ngwa Road also needs a special mention in ignominy. Apart from the distress associated with bad roads, heaps of waste occupy a large portion of it and compete with traders. And as noted above, there is the threat of disease outbreak due to overflowing decayed garbage emitting acid odour. It is a wonder how human beings do business under such atmosphere. Another place where epidemic is looming is Emelogu where a mountain of refuse has sprung up. There, an offensive odour pervades the air. From bad to worse
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 07:02:59 +0000