People of Umuopu, one of the largest communities in Enugu-Ezike, in Igbo-Eze North Local Government area of Enugu State are yearning for an intervention by the state government in their infrastructural challenges.
Rich in agricultural produces, the community is challenged in the areas of basic amenities like roads, healthcare facilities, and pipe borne water. Public schools in the area are also in a sorry dilapidated state.
On a recent visit to the community by South-East PUNCH, the bulk of the people who spoke blamed the situation on the neglect of the community by past administrations in the state.
They acknowledged that the immediate past administration made concerted efforts to open up previously neglected communities in the state, but lamented that however, their community and many others are still suffering from monumental government neglect.
The people, however, are full of expectations that the current administration will remember them and also turn around the fortunes of the community infrastructure-wise.
Youths of the area under the aegis of Umuopu Youths Association, UYA, who have taken up the mantle to see that their community is remembered by the state government, said that they are on bended knees, and called on the state government to do something positive for them.
As it stands now, there is no single tarred road in the community, except the major road that connects Nsukka to different communities terminating at Ette, an Idoma speaking part of Enugu State.
Public Relations Officer of UYA, Comrade Ogbonna Ossai, who spoke to South-East PUNCH reporter lamented, “It is a known fact that we don’t have good roads. We suffer during rainy season from erosion and bad roads. During the time of Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime, up to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, we have been pleading with government to intervene in our roads, but they couldn’t get it done.
“Unfortunately, the past administration of Governor Ugwuanyi awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of our roads from Ogrute down to Umuopu and actually work actually started on the road, but the project was stopped after two kilometers at Umuogbo-ulo, when it has not even gotten to our own community. We are appealing to the government to remember us once again and complete the road.”
Ogbonna said that the youths were also calling the government’s attention to its public schools, as most of them are dilapidated and are not in good environmental state for effective teaching and learning.
He added, “Infact some of our schools are death traps for learning, because the roofs are leaking and there is this fear that one of these days, the structure can collapse on their heads because they are weak already.”
Ogbonna listed the bad roads in the community to include Umuopu centre down to Aguego, noting that when it rains, everyone is stuck, including that of Umuopu Umueze to Ogbauke and from Umuopu centre to Umuonogwu.
He said that the dilapidated schools included the Community Primary School, Aguego and that of Umuopu centre.
He continued, “These days, when the children are in school there is apprehension among the parents because the roofs may cave in on the pupils.”
Corroborating Ogbonna’s worries, the Assistant Headmistress of Community Primary School, Aguego Umuopu, Florence Ayogu, lamented that when it rains, teachers and pupils of the school scamper for safety, seeking refuge from the elements at every available corner of the school, because the roofs are gone and the children are exposed to rain, sun and other weather conditions.
A pupil of the school, Emilia Ayogu, described the school as a mad man’s enclave and olden days structure, noting that pupils also struggle with snakes and other dangerous reptiles in the school, because they learn in a very hostile environment.
The Secretary, Umuopu Youth Association, Samson Ayogu, appreciated efforts of stakeholders and leaders in the community, who have been trying to bridge the development gaps.
He appealed to the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah to “help us make a difference in our communities.”
He added that previous administration started work on the road to their community but stopped work at Umuogboulo before the Afor market, insisting that “it is not a good omen for us. We experience lots of difficulties presently in accessibility and movement.”
He enthused, “Our market is a moving river when it rains. No one sells when it rains because everywhere will be flooded. Water flowing from Isiugwu community will overrun the whole place. This market is a place where the villagers eke out a living, but they can’t even trade again in this condition.
“Our health centre is another story altogether. This was conceived as a giant structure but now in Umuopu, we have no health centre. No nurses, doctors or what have you.”
Recalling past incident of yellow fever outbreak in the community, Ayogu said, People died like fowls because there was no nearby remedial centre. Before you could rush anyone to the general hospital at Ogrute, which is far distance from here, the worst would have happened.”
An attendant at the health centre, Lilian Abugu, told South-East PUNCH that the health centre has become a breeding ground for hemp smokers and some youths who make out in a careless form in the centre
She said, “Because the roofs are also leaking while there is no burglary proof here, sometimes we see remnants of smoked hemp and even used condoms within the premises. Our health centre is not working.”
Chairman of the youth body, Emeka Urama, who spoke on phone from his base in Senegal, told the South-East PUNCH correspondent that those of them outside the shores of the Nigeria are very much concerned about the living conditions of the people and life in the village generally.
He said, “Pictures and images don’t lie. You can see everything for yourselves because whenever I step into the village or remember my hometown, I cry silently in my heart. How long shall we continue to suffer?”
