Owners and operators of
businesses within the Rumuaholu area near Rumuokoro in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area have cried out over what they described as the gradual collapse of their businesses occasioned by deplorable access roads.
Some of the business operators who  spoke to The Tide lamented that their businesses were gradually being grounded as a result of bad road.
They claimed that the hardly make sales on daily basis as customers no longer patronize them because of poor access.
In his explanation, Mr Victor Achor who operates a supermarket in the area said that the low level of patronage they have experienced for some time now was unspeakable.
He said that he could not go to the market regularly as usual due to poor patronage, and stated that most of the goods he had were old stock, but that he was making efforts to channel them to other sales outlet.
Also narrating her experience to The Tide, Felicia Ojim who deals on wears (both foot wear and assorted) said the trend had become so unbearable as she barely make sales, when  compared to when she started the business there.
“The worst of it is that when it rains, people from the other side of the road (across) can not pass across,   and this will remain for some days before one can manage to cross, assuming there is no other rainfall,” she said.
She also expressed worries over the situation because according to her, house owners will not mind what we might be going through but will collect their rent when due.
Ojim however, called on the government authority to remember the people of Rumualolu community and give a palliative to them before a permanent job be done in the area.
Meanwhile, many transport operators that ply that road have abandoned that area, describing the road as a pit that has been damaging their vehicles.
They have claimed that the money they make on that axis end up being used for the maintenance of the vehicles, and that there is no need operating on such bad road, while few who decide to ply the roads charge  higher fare.
A tailor that operates in the area, Mr Chinedu Iwedi has blamed their suffering on the non responsiveness of government to work on the road.
He therefore urged both the state and the Obio/Akpor Council to do something fast this Christmas and New Year season to save them.

Corlins Walter