Nkpolu-Oroworukwo Flyover Excites Residents, Business Operators

Barely a year after, the former rowdy and chaotic Ikoku area that hosts mostly motor parts and generator spare parts in Port Harcourt metropolis is wearing a new look.
The newly completed Nkpolu-Oroworukwo flyover was two weeks ago opened for traffic and the roudiness and chaos around the axis have disappeared.
There used to be traffic snarl in the evening and morning rush hour, but now with a new traffic light installed at the foot of the bridge, vehicular traffic is swift and smooth.
Excited with the new look of the area, a herbal medicine seller, Samuel Adieme told The Tide Metro that, “I am very happy the place is clean and orderly now.”
The businessman recalled that when the project started sometime last year with the dislocation of stores and warehouses located at the mouth of the Olu Obasanjo and Ikwerre Roads, many of the motor spare parts dealers raised alarm.
Today, sanity has returned to the once boisterous Ikoku area that used to be known for traffic congestion, poor vehicle parking, hawking and street trading, “I commend the Governor for the vision,” Adieme said.
He urged the authorities to enforce sanitation and security, as he called on traders to cooperate with government to ensure that the area maintains its current status.
A motor spare parts dealer who gave his name as Okeke Chima while commending government for the project said there is need for security.
He reasoned that the fallback fence that was built to prevent street trading provides cover for criminals in the night, “if the fence is reduced a bit, it will help passersby to see what happens on the other side of the road, and helps security.
On his part, Chibuike Maduforo said the flyover has changed the landscape of Ikoku junction, “a lot of us thought it would not be completed but we are happy it has been done and delivered”.
He however complained that the street trading fence has become a hide out for criminals to rob people in the night.
Maduforo also decried the activities of touts who disguise as government agents to collect illegal levies.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Taskforce, Port Harcourt Motor Spareparts Dealers Union, Icho Emeka Onuowo lauded the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the vision he has displayed in building the Ikoku flyover.
“We are happy the project has been completed and we have seen the good works of the governor,” Onuowo remarked.
Dismissing views over criticism of the project when it was initiated, Onuowo said,” to be sincere with you, we were not against the flyover as a union, but poor communication. “
Onuowo acknowledged that in organised cities, motor parts markets are usually located outside city centres, as envisaged by the governor.
“If you go to Aba, Anambra and Enugu States, motor spareparts markets are outside the city,” he noted.
Hence, he urged the state government on the need to relocate the motor spare parts market to areas like Igwuruta or Oyigbo, “If we are relocated it will help to attract development to the outskirts.”
On the issue of security in the motor parts market, Onuowo assured that the taskforce is doing all in its powers to secure and protect lives in collaboration with security agencies.
Currently, he lamented that many of them have been dislocated and dispersed due to the project which made a lot of them to seek new stores and warehouses in adjoining streets like Adelabu, Emole, Owhonda, Ojims and School Road.
As a result of the dispersing, many of the motor spare parts dealers are scattered in various streets such that customers could not locate them anymore.
To reverse the situation, the Ikoku motor spare parts union leader pleaded that they need a permanent site.
A permanent site will reduce road side hawking, touting, wrong parking and street trading, “we want to cooperate with government and work towards ensuring that Ikoku is secure, safe and orderly,” he assured.

By: Kevin Nengia