The dilapidated state of the Afor Igwe–Ndiezike Road in Ihiala Town has once again come under public scrutiny, following a viral video released by a concerned resident. The video, which highlighted the deplorable condition of the key link road, drew widespread attention and prompted swift reactions from prominent stakeholders.
Responding to the video, Mr. C. Don Adinuba, former Commissioner for Information in Anambra State and a key facilitator of the road project, expressed deep concern over the road’s condition, which he described as “truly abandoned.”
“I thank both the video maker and those who drew my attention to it,” Adinuba said.
“The state of the Afor Igwe–Ndiezike Road is disappointing, especially given my personal efforts in attracting the contract and its strategic significance to the town.”
Adinuba disclosed that he has since held extensive discussions with the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Ifeanyi Okoma, whom he praised as an “exemplary public servant.” The commissioner, he said, linked him with the contractor in charge of the project, Mr. Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe.
According to Adinuba, the contractor, whose family has a longstanding history in engineering and public service, explained several obstacles that had stalled progress since the project was awarded in 2023. These include the absence of a natural water outlet to manage flooding and legal disputes with members of the Ndiezike village over the road’s right of way.
“He assured me of his readiness to deliver, having completed the Savinovo–Okija Road, which shares similar topographical challenges,” Adinuba noted. A video showing the completed work on the Savinovo–Okija Road has been circulated to bolster public confidence in the contractor’s capability.
The Afor Igwe–Ndiezike Road, first initiated in 2002, was identified as one of two strategic roads Governor Chukwuma Soludo had initially promised to construct in Ihiala Town during his first term in office. However, Adinuba revealed that following a lengthy phone discussion with the governor in March 2024, the administration opted to prioritize only one road in the town, redirecting resources to another abandoned project connecting Mbosi and Ukpor in honor of Hon. Pascal Agbodike.
Despite expressing disappointment over the governor’s decision, Adinuba reaffirmed his commitment to seeing the Afor Igwe–Ndiezike Road completed and pledged to push for the construction of the Nkwogbe–Umunnamehi–Umudimogo Road, a major commercial artery in Ihiala.
“I have gone to this length to explain my emotional attachment to this road,” he said. “Let’s give the contractor the benefit of the doubt. Let’s cooperate with him as he finally gets cracking.”
The people of Ihiala now watch with cautious optimism as construction activities are expected to resume in earnest, with a promise of completion by the end of the year, even as they called the attention of the state government to the over five-year old abandoned Okohia-Umuezeawala road.