SEE VIDEO & PHOTOS] Tears, Anger in Amaiyi Okpo as Monarch Makes Emotional Plea to Gov. Alex Otti Over Abandoned Road

[SEE VIDEO & PICTURE] Tears In Amaiyi Okpo Community as Traditional Ruler Appeals to Gov. Alex Otti to End Decades of Road Neglect.

The traditional ruler of Amaiyi Okpo in Ihechiowa, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Eze Michael Ifi Njoku Kalu (OSCO), has made a heartfelt appeal to the Abia State Government, led by Governor Alex Otti, to urgently address the deplorable condition of the Okpo-Achara Ihechiowa road linking the community. He described decades of neglect that have left residents isolated.

Speaking about the community’s condition to Newsleverage, the monarch expressed regret that no government has undertaken the road project for more than 30 years, forcing residents to walk long distances to reach neighbouring communities.

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He explained that vehicles can no longer access Amaiyi Okpo because the roads have deteriorated beyond use, effectively cutting the community off from essential services.

“Government has never paid attention to the road project for over 30 years. We trek to Umuchiakuma Junction. There’s no car in the community because vehicles cannot enter the village,” he said.

The traditional ruler highlighted that, despite being a border community connecting Ututu Ihechiowa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States, with a large voting population, Amaiyi Okpo remains neglected, lacking basic infrastructure and government presence.

He noted that successive governments have been aware of the community’s plight, as government representatives attending events in the area also encounter the poor road conditions firsthand.

“We are pleading with the government of Dr Alex Otti to come into the community and help us. The community has been trying to fix the internal roads to ease mobility, but there is little a community can do to repair a major road. We are in trouble,” he appealed.

Eze Kalu further lamented the absence of government-provided amenities in the community, stating that the few facilities available were provided through the efforts of indigenous sons and daughters.

He urged the Abia State Government to prioritise the rehabilitation of the road and the provision of basic infrastructure, emphasising that such intervention would improve transportation, boost economic activities, and bring much-needed relief to the people of Amaiyi Okpo.

Contributing, former Chairman of Okpo Ihechiowa Development Union, OIDU, Chief Cletus Torti Oleh (JP), expressed concern over the community’s plight, noting that travelling to the area has become an arduous task. He pointed out that the few amenities present were courtesy of the efforts of local sons and daughters under the Amaiyi Ambassadors led by Chief Monday Kalu Okorie, and called on the government to heed the cries of the people.

A local driver, also speaking to the crew, lamented that earning a livelihood has become increasingly difficult after his vehicle broke down on the road, preventing him from making a living and feeding his children.

The community emphasised that the road project remains their most urgent need and appealed for assistance, especially during this rainy season.