...Demands construction of pedestrian crossing at Regina Caeli junction in Awka
By Emmanuel Udodinma
Anambra state House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to set up a high-powered committee to access the present condition of Oseakwa Seaport in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state with a view to fostering partnership between the federal, state and organized private sectors on the possibility of resuscitating the seaport.
The House also called on Soludo to initiate the process of dredging the Ulasi River also in Ihiala Council Area, in line with the recent resolutions of the House of Representatives on the same subject matters.
The resolutions were passed at the floor of the House during yesterday”s plenary presided over by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, following a motion sponsored to that effect by Hon. Eze-Golden Chukwuebuka Iloh representing Ihiala II state constituency.
The motion was supported by Hon. Jude Ngobili representing Ihiala I, Hon. Ikenna Offordebe (Ekwusigo), Hon. Tony Muobike (Aguata II), Hon. Noble Igwe (Ogbaru I), Hon. Johnbosco Akaegbobi, (Nnewi South II), Hon Ejike Okechukwu (Anaocha II), Hon. Augustine Ike (Nnewi North), Hon. Anayo Okpaleke (Aguata I), Hon. Jude Umennajiego (Onitsha II) and Hon. Paul Obu (Orumba North).
The House insisted that resuscitating the Oseakwa Seaport and dredging the Ulasi River would help to diversify the national and subnational economies with the attendant dwindling revenue occasioned by frequent internal and external economic shocks which has made it possible for states to seek avenues to increase their revenue base so as to meet the ever increasing developmental needs of the state.
It contended that the Oseakwa Seaport which is only 18th Nautical Miles to the Atlantic Ocean, was established before Nigeria’s independence as a major route for imports and exports of goods and also to serve as a source of revenue to the old Eastern Region, was abandoned after the civil war and has since became moribund.
Similarly, the House also passed a resolution asking Governor Soludo to direct the state Commissioner for Works to facilitate the construction of pedestrian bridges at Regina Caeli junction in the state capital, Awka, old TRACAS at Upper Iweka in Onitsha; Okpoko by Travellers’ Hotel junction and Obodo Ukwu by Eze Uweka road in Ogbaru.
The motion was sponsored by Hon. Noble Igwe representing Ogbaru I constituency and was supported by Hon. Ejike Okechukwu, Hon. Douglas Egbuna, Hon. Johnbisco Akaegbobi, Hon. Patrick Okafor, Hon. Emma Nwafor, Hon. Patrick Udoba, Hon. Paul Obu, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi, Hon. Henry Nigeria Mbachu, Hon. Kingsley Udemezue, Hon. Callistus Obi, Hon. Jude Umennajiego, Hon. Frederick Ezenwa, Hon. Nonso Atuchukwu and Hon. Bernard Udemezue.
Moving the motion. Igwe contended that the rate at which accidents happen on the aforementioned spots is quite alarming and it often results to loss of lives and various degrees of casualties, adding, “I am convinced that if pedestrian bridge is built across these areas, the rate of accidents happening on the said spots would be minimal or reduced drastically”.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Innocent Ejike representing Oyi state constituency, noted that the population of people crossing these spots on daily basis is so high, including primary school pupils and secondary school students with the attendant risk, adding that cognisant of the fact that the speed at which vehicles accelerate on these bus-stops is quite high due to the sloppy nature of the roads.
