Monarch Wants More Funds For Rural Roads

The Traditional ruler of Amuri community in Nkanu East council area of Enugu State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Charles Nwoye, has advocated proper funding of rural roads construction and rehabilitation by local and state governments in the country.

Igwe Nwoye said that the call had become necessary because it would go a long way in boosting food production as well as encourage more people to venture into farming.

He reasoned that allocating more funds for the construction and fixing of deplorable rural access roads would not only boost local and states economies, but would equally help in waging war against food insecurity in all states of the federation in general.

The royal father, however, regretted that over the years, scores of committed rural farmers in Nigeria including those in his community Amuri, had always find it extremely difficult to evacuate their farm produce to the urban centres due to what he referred to as the deplorable conditions of rural roads in various localities in the state.

Making his feelings known while briefing newsmen over the weekend in his palace on the recent visit of some world bank and Enugu state government representatives who were in the community to intimate them of plans by the global apex financial institution and the Sullivan Chime led administration to construct the age long neglected Amuri- Obe rural road , elated Igwe Nwoye, enjoined state and local governments to always accord rural road construction serious attention including increase in budgetary allocations.

He, therefore, described the World Bank and the Enugu State government proposed gesture as a milestone in the life of the people of the community, adding that if fulfilled, would bring succour to the neglected and suffering people of the area and environs.

Igwe Nwoye, further disclosed that the first phase of the joint project, expected to commence by December this year, is coming under the Rural Access and Mobility Project {RAMP} programme of the World Bank, designed to bring rapid development to rural areas especially in developing nations of the globe, including Nigeria.

While applauding Enugu State government for the development, he assured that the community would give the contractor all the needed co-operation when mobilised to site, “because the joy of my people today knows no bound because of this proposed project”.

“Gentlemen, I want to tell you sincerely, that my people are indeed very happy over this proposed project, because bad road had been one of the greatest problem confronting Amuri land. As you may be aware, we produce a lot of staple foods, but do not have access roads to evacuate them to urban centres”

The traditional ruler had also used the forum to call on political leaders as well as governments at all levels to always embark on human oriented programmes and policies capable of alleviating the suffering of the poor masses who gave them the mandate to serve, positing that the present day rate of poverty in the country was very alarming.