Residents of the Anambra living in Awka and its environs have lamented the effects of bad roads on their businesses.

Residents on Monday in Awka said bad roads had contributed to the high cost of transport fares in the city and its environs.

“Virtually all roads that lead to schools, markets, hospitals, business outlets and residential areas are not passable and wondered the reasons behind such quick breakage,” said Ifeoma Enechkwa, a resident. “Christmas is almost near, and work is yet to commence on these important roads that lead to commercial centres in the state. I hope the government will do something before the festivity.”

Uche Ekenechukwu, a fruit seller, said that the bad road leading to markets where she goes to buy her wares is horrible and has succeeded in making motorist hike their fares.

“We used to pay mini truck between N2,000 and N3,000 after buying our items, but now one must have a minimum of N5,000. This has affected the market too because customers will always keep down prices,” disclosed Ms Ekenechukwu. “Business these days has been frustrated due to poor road networks from the point of buying to the point of sales. It really discourages me. I am even looking for a place to do a nanny job now.”

A motorist, Nnamdi Okafor, who plies Eke Awka to Isuanaocha in Awka North local government area of the state, expressed sadness at the inaccessible condition of Unizik junction road through Okpuno access road, which is the only road open to the public.

Mr Okafor stated that the government should make them happier this festivity period by working on the roads for good business during this December period.

Okwuchukwu Nwoye, a tricycle driver, explained that the level of bad roads he plies daily has a lot of ‘wear and tear’ on his tricycle, which takes him to the mechanic workshop most of the business times.

Mr Nwoye said the roads in Isuaniocha, near Awka, are bad and impassable, making tricycles and bike riders raise their fare from N150 to N300 or N400 depending on the distance.

“Most times, passengers choose to trek if they move in a group instead of patronising us,” he said.

Another resident, Peter Okoye, mentioned that the residents and motorists had been denied the pleasure of having a motorable road as most roads in the city have become inaccessible to both motorists and pedestrians due to their bad conditions.

Mr Okoye said Awka, as the capital city, has no road infrastructure and disclosed that he visits mechanic workshops weekly to repair his vehicle due to the bad roads.

He advised the government to have a culture of road maintenance instead of waiting till the existing roads fail totally as the cost of maintaining roads is cheaper than constructing new ones.

Moses Okechukwu, an engineer, said Awka had become a laughing stock.

“Look at Aroma junction, INEC junction, Kenneth Dike Library, amongst other places. They are all very bad, yet we say we are ‘the Light of the Nation’,” he added.

Ugochukwu Ogwu, a university lecturer, pointed out that he spends hours commuting due to the bad roads before getting to work daily.

(NAN)