The people of
Rumuaholu community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (OBALGA) of Rivers State, have called on the state government to extend the operation zero  pothole programme to the road linking them with the rest of the city.
A cross section of indigenes and residents who spoke to our correspondent on the poor state of the road said for more than 10 years they have been cut off economically from other parts of the state.
According to Stella Ikogha, an educationist, the bad state of the road has affected enrolment of pupils into her school.
She said many prospective parents relocated from the community by the day as taxi drivers have since abandoned the Rumuohaolu route.
Investigations by our correspondent  indicated that most shop owners along the Rumuaholu Road have closed their shops due to lack of patronage.
One of them, Emeka Apollos, who spoke to our correspondent  lamented his inability to pay rentage as customers were no longer patronising him.
He said the  landlords were not ready to listen to stories of business lull even  with the realities on the ground.
A tricycle operator who spoke to our correspondent said that although most taxi drivers have abandoned the road, it was  difficult for them to break even.
He said while the route has been overtaken by tricycle operators, the cost of maintenance has been a major challenge for them.
The operator who gave his name as Jude Uche further explained that most commuters even prefer walking to Rumuokoro roundabout  due to the discomfort in taking a ride  in the tricycles.
It could be recalled that contract for the road leading to the community has been awarded for more than 10 years running.
Efforts to speak with senior officials at the state Ministry of Works was not successful as at press time.