Residents, Motorists Decry State Of Harbour, Industry Roads

Residents of Bundu Ama Community and motorists plying Harbour, reclamation and industry roads in Port Harcourt have decried the deplorable condition of the roads.

The roads they said are now death traps as it cost them dearly in their day to day movements, affecting transportation fare and cost of living, and are therefore calling on the Rivers State Government to come to their aid.

A resident and vice chairman of Bundu Ama Community, Mr Gentle Asecheimie said its disheartening to note that these roads leading to the gateway to the nation’s economy in Rivers State are in such a bad condition and needed government urgent attention of rehabilitation and reconstruction, adding that concerted efforts had been made, but to no avail yet.

Mr Asecheimie said with the multi-national companies, Industries, Hotels and Commercial activities in the area, there is urgent need for the people to benefit the dividends of democracy, adding that as tax payers, it behoves them to enjoy government facilities, and appealed to the Rivers State Government to use the tax payers money to better their lot by reactivating the roads for better business activities.

He however lauded the state government on its numerous development strides and capital projects spread out all over the state, saying that they are highly commendable and worthy of emulation, pleading further that the residents and motoring public in Bundu Ama Communities needed such social amenities as well.

Also speaking, the chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Heavy Duty Truck, Ibeto branch, comrade Tamko Kenneth Sunday said the condition of the road is affecting their business and causing untold suffering and hardship to many drivers, and called on the government to consider their plight and put the roads motorable to allow free flow of traffic.

A business woman, Mrs Kate Obinna also lamented the condition of the Habour, and industry roads as it affects their business activities, and passionately appealed to government to come to their aid and repair the roads.

A Taxi driver, Okon Monday, Plying Aggrey Road to Reclamation said the road had damaged their vehicles and the drivers would soon increase fares because of the road.

Also, a senior staff  of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Port Harcourt Ports who pleaded anonymity wonders why all roads leading to the sea ports in the country are always in bad and critical condition, and also stressed the need for government attention, especially that of industry and Harbour roads in Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, The Tide Correspondent reported that due to the deplorable shape of the roads, commercial drivers have increased their fares from Aggrey Road to NPA, Reclamation and Mile one park to NPA.

Collins Barasimeye