Just after his surprise visits to project sites at Osumenyi and Nando, Gov Obiano of Anambra State, in the late afternoon of yesterday, defied the rain to make an unscheduled stop at the much talked about Ifite - UNIZIK Road undergoing major reconstruction.
The road which was hugely ignored by previous governments in the State had caused the students much hardship due to the level of dilapidation and increasing activities of pick pockets.
Most times, the students trek to school amidst dusts through the rough road and once it rains, many of the students would miss lectures and exams except a few who are skilled in swimming through the emergency lake that results from the downpour... Night class was a "no no" for all.
This led to a public outcry by the students across the Social Media platforms followed by an SOS appeal to the governor through their leadership.
Interestingly, this wasn't their first time of attempting to draw the government's attention to the bad road but fortunately, Gov Obiano being a leader with human side, heard their cry.
And vum, the road was redesigned, contract awarded and work began in earnest. While the opposition thought it to be a political "vum vam" dance, work continued as promised.
To ensure a quality work and quick end to the suffering of the students, lecturers and residents within that axis, the governor made several personal visits to UNIZIK - Ifite Road.
In one of those visits, he frowned at the pace of work and sort for a quicker way to complete the road project.
Soon after that very visit, another contractor was brought in to start from the other end of the road. Same way, the Onitsha - Owerri road project was handled some years back.
The governor equally ordered for immediate installation of street lights along the road to increase security at Night and add to the beauty of the project when completed.
And today, the major erosion challenge along UNIZIK- Ifite Road has been properly controlled, the road has been asphalted from White View Hotel down to Miracle Junction and will soon get to the School Gate while major work continues down to the stream.
It ain't stopping there, Gov Obiano while inspecting the road yesterday took out time to interact with the students and emphatically stated that...
1. The contractor must speed up work to ensure that the first part of the contract is completed before the rains;
2. The government will stretch the contract to Amansea with proper drainage systems and road infrastructures such as street lights;
3. The anti drug law enforcement agencies will raid the students area to flush out bad eggs amongst them and many more.
It was joy unlimited for the students who joined the governor for the inspection.
Just as I was enjoying the "alutarised" solidarity songs from the students, my messenger beeped... It was a message from a student from one of the schools in our neighbouring State saying...
"Why? Why? UNIZIK Students Why? Why all these goodies for you alone?"
Please what do I reply the sender?
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