Pains And Gains Of Illoabuchi Road Expansion

Two weeks ago, some landlords whose properties were marked for demolition at Illoabuchi Street at Diobu raised an alarm over the burglary unleashed on them by hoodlums following government expansion of the road, but for the quick intervention of the Diobu Vigilante.
The Tide Metro conducted investigations on the road project and with recent developments coupled with the recent announcement by the Commissioner for Works calling on property owners to visit the office to ascertain claims of compensation doused tension.
So far, the project is at top gear as bulldozers have moved to site. From the Azikiwe Junction at the back gate of the Rivers State University down to Sandfield by Achi Street, the once busy district is now in rubbles waiting for the eventual commencement of work.
A roadside POS operator whose store was demolished at Nwachukwu Street, Mr. Solomon Chinedu, told The Tide Metro that currently they are passing through pains, but expressed hope that the project would beautify and attract development to Illoabuchi Street.
He said, “My store was among the properties that was brought down, so currently, I don’t have anywhere to stay but I am hopeful that when this project is completed, Illoabuchi would wear a new look.”
Chinedu continued, “If you look closely, most of the properties hardly attract high rent, but after this road expansion, values of most of the properties would go up. Across Illoabuchi, there is no filling station so I’m confident that this road would bring a filling station here.”
The POS operator said he now hangs on the road as his store was part of the buildings demolished to pave way for the road.
While dismissing claims that hoodlums invaded the area as a result of the road, Chinedu explained that the problem emanated from lack of communication and ignorance by the residents.
His worry was that most of the landlords were not able to reach out to their tenants, and that compensation was below what was expected.
The Tide Metro’s investigations revealed that most of the owners of buildings in the area do not have certificate of occupancy, hence, government had to give compensation based on grace to reduce pains on those affected.
Mrs. Agatha Okpala of 35 Obidianso Street revealed to The Tide Metro that compensation was low compared to what was acquired by the authorities for the road expansion.
Her three-storey building, according to her, was cut into half, “and they are planning to take more and I and my family don’t have anywhere to go”, she lamented.
She described the compensation as peanuts compared to the cost of renting an apartment and relocating her family.
In her words,” I will beg government to please help us. The cost of living is too high and most of us don’t have any where to go than back to the village.”
While many are raising alarm over compensation and loss of their properties, commercial taxi drivers are worried that the project is affecting their operations.
Most of the road outlets from Illoabuchi were blocked by the contractor handling the project. For instance, to get a taxi or bus plying from Illoabuchi to Education or Park, one has to trek to either Echue Junction or to Sandfield.
So far, streets outlets at Ohediohanma, Nwachikwu and Obidianso were blocked to allow ongoing work.
A taxi driver, Kufre Effiong lamented to The Tide Metro that the traffic jam along the axis has made many of the commercial taxi operators to avoid the route. “We cannot drive on the road. Most of our taxi drivers stopped this morning since we can’t get to some streets,” he said.
“The road is good because when it’s finished we will enjoy it, but for now we want them to open up some streets so we can access our shops”, Effiong remarked.

By: Kevin Nengia