Kingsley U.N. Chikwendu —
A deep gully erosion that occur early this week has severed the major road leading to the Imo Zoo and Nekede, its host community, south of the state capital, Owerri. It caused serious commotion and panic among the inhabitants of the area, leaving motorists stranded.
The situation was made worse by the lack of viable alternative routes to the community, located about 10 kilometres away from Owerri.
A spokesman of the community, Mr Evans Anyawu, said the community had long abondoned by successive administrations in the state.
“Our community is in terrible situation. The only road linking us to the city has collapsed, he said.
“We don’t have any means of transporting our farm produce to the city, motorists, school children and tourists are stranded. We really need the governor’s urgent intervention,” Evans added.
Speaking to Environ news, a commercial bus driver, Mr Ikechukwu Ibe, said the road had suffered neglect for many years, leading to serious dilapidation.
Ibe wondered why the only road leading to Nekede, which is very close to Owerri, could be allowed by successive administrations in the state to deteriorate.
Another tourist, Mr Clement Isaac, said that the state would suffer huge economic loss if the government failed to intervene urgently.
“Imo zoo is the only surviving zoo in the entire South-East states. Governmet cannot afford to abandon the major road linking Owerri to the facility,” Isaac concluded.
