‘We have been abandoned’ – Owukpa community cries out over bad roads

Owukpa, a community in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State has been abandoned despite its economic importance.

The community, despite producing high-ranking politicians in the state is yet to smell any dividend of democracy in this current administration.

The last time there was any sign of development was during the government of Gabriel Suswam, since then, it has become the case of ‘to your tent o Israel.’

ALSO READ: HELP! Itabono Owukpa road now a death trap (Photos)

A visit to the Coal City, as the community prides itself shows that the community has totally been neglected by its leaders.

IDOMA VOICE observed that the current chairman of the local government hailed from this community. The community also produced a commissioner in this current administration.

Amazingly, the immediate past House of Assembly member for Ogbadibo constituency hailed from Owukpa. He spent eight years on seat and did not even deem it fit to grade the road leading to his country home in Itabono, a development may residents described as shameful.

A trip round the community of four political wards showed that despite the presence of gigantic edifices, roads there are nothing to write home about.

A native of the community, PATRICK AKO AKOWgU, who recent drove round the community tells the sad story of this ancient city founded by Amuche Onomo.

Read it below.

I have watched with keen interest in the attention given to owukpa in the news lately over political and COAL Issues, it’s time to look at how more development would be attracted to Owukpa.

For many  that knows Owukpa very well Owukpa is really backward in terms of development, and government presence, today more than 90% of Owukpa still depends solely on direct stream water for drinking and household use,  more than 75% of owukpa land still have no motorable access road  let me take us  round some of the route in Owukpa,  (over 40km) road from ipole Owukpa through ibagba, through ehicho/ikpochi through the abandoned bridge for Owukpa Earth dam- okpudu- akparoji  to ejaa to Aho through odobe to Ankpa Owukpa to join ichama through oderigbo Eha is not motorable, ipole Owukpa-Ibagba-Oteigwu-Aiodu road, over 10km not motorable, Adu Aiede through Aiede osenyi to okpudu-Ai ujah is not  motorable,(over 8km).

And from ukwo oi odu, adu bridge through ai ede straight -itabono center – iga uroko to Ukalegu  to Aho (over 15km) and to also  obollo- eke  boundary at Ukalegu,  to Aho – ugbugbu’ to udaburu and also from Aho to join ehuhu- elugwu to join Ankpa About (10km) and also  link to eha amufu obollo afor high way is also not motorable, other roads like ugbugbuu atamaka to link ichama over (10km)  Ai

odu/alagrani to ichama, (15km) Ekere- Ejule-atamaka-Ichama, road,   Aifam-aiona road, not motorable,. okpudu-Aiuja-eha uleke to ipole Owukpa (15km) is not motorable also, 7km, itabono center-ikwo to ubollo eke is not also motorable, from udaburu- ipole Ai ede to okpudu – okpoto eballa to join 10km is  also not motorable, Ukalegu agbebo- ejaaa, obenjira -udaburu 10km not motorable, down to ekere  to ukwo, though from ukwo, to adepe ugbugbuu was partialy done  just to mention a few,

Going to aspects of electricity, most parts mentioned have not had any form of electricity, even those with electrical poles and wires have issues. same thing with water and health care facilities,

The developmental  problem of Owukpa can not just be tackled with the money that may come out of the coal mining., it’s high time we draw government attention.