Ohanaeze Youth Council Urges Umahi, Uzodinma to Fix Ihiagwa-Naze-Obinze Road

The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, has called on Works Minister David Umahi and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to urgently intervene in the deteriorating condition of the Ihiagwa-Naze-Obinze road in Owerri West.

The group said the road’s poor state has created serious hardship for students, staff and residents who depend on the route, particularly those travelling to the Federal University of Technology Owerri, FUTO, and Federal Polytechnic Nekede.

In a statement issued on Monday, OYC National President, Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, acknowledged that the Ihiagwa-FUTO road is a state-owned route but stressed its importance as a major link connecting Naze, Nekede, Ihiagwa and Obinze.

Igboayaka urged the Federal Ministry of Works, under Umahi, to intervene despite the road’s state classification, arguing that its connection to two major federal institutions makes its rehabilitation a matter of wider public interest.

He said years of neglect and heavy deterioration had resulted in damaged vehicles, longer travel times and increased difficulties for students, school workers and other residents using the corridor.

Beyond transportation challenges, the youth council raised concerns about security in the area. It alleged that the poor condition of the road has created an environment where criminals can operate, citing kidnapping, car snatching and motorcycle theft among the reported threats.

OYC called for a joint response from the Federal Government and the Imo State Government to rehabilitate the road and improve safety along the corridor.

The group also recommended expanding drainage towards the Ihiagwa market axis and constructing a bridge as part of measures to address the infrastructure problems affecting the route.