Anambra State Government Reacts to Newly Constructed Road Damaged By Downpour in Onitsha

The Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, has recently come under scrutiny following reports of damage to a newly constructed road in the Ochanja Market area within the Woliwo community of Onitsha South local government.

The road was reported to have suffered damage following an afternoon downpour, raising questions about the quality of infrastructure projects in the state.

SaharaReporters highlighted the issue through viral videos that showcased the aftermath of the rainfall, with sections of the newly laid asphalt being visibly washed away, leading to public outcry. Residents voiced their concerns regarding the integrity of construction projects overseen by the Soludo administration, especially given the substantial financial investment from state funds.

The videos, circulating since Monday night, depicted a scenario where barely a week after its completion, the road was purportedly destroyed by a mere 20 minutes of rain. This incident sparked debates on social media, with many questioning the durability of other roads constructed by the government.

In response to these allegations, the Commissioner for Works, Engr Ifeanyi Okoma, addressed the situation by refuting the claims made in the video. He emphasized that the footage had been misrepresented, suggesting that the road shown was not among those recently inaugurated by Governor Soludo. He clarified that the only two roads commissioned in Onitsha during Soludo’s tenure were Port Harcourt and Niger roads, both of which remain in excellent condition.

Engr Okoma further explained that the damaged area was part of an ongoing construction project, with work halting temporarily due to a downpour that occurred shortly after the day’s work concluded. He noted that the affected section was minimal and would be promptly addressed by the construction team.

Mark Tu, the contractor overseeing the road project, also commented on the situation, expressing surprise at the reaction to the videos. He confirmed that only a small portion of the road was impacted and reassured the public that construction would resume immediately, with a commitment to maintaining high standards.