By Oviesomo Enize, a contributor.
Barely a few days on resumption of office after the inauguration at the Samson Siasia Sport Complex on Wednesday 14th February, 2024 the Senator Douye Diri led Prosperity Administration fittingly Christened Miracle Government, ably supported by his dependable deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, swung into action by convening a crucial Executive Retreat at Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital to recalibrate and set the tone for the effective take-off of the Administration. This was therefore not surprising as it was crystal clear from all intents and purposes that the Miracle Governor haven tested the waters adequately, in the first term, was in a hurry to deliver his campaign promises to Bayelsans, in appreciation of their trust and belief in him which necessitated the renewed mandate. That Executive Retreat was propelled by Gov. Diri’s burning desire to change the infrastructural and general out look of the State thus ASSURED Prosperity became the seven (7) point policy thrust of the second phase of his administration. A – Stands for Agricultural Revolution & Blue Economy S S – – Stands for Sports & Youth Development For Security Peace Building & Tourism U – For Urban Renewal & Rural Development R – For Robust Healthcare Delivery E – For Energy Generation & Economic Growth D – For Developing Education towards Innovation and Technology. By all means, Bayelsans and other observers in the global community have in unison scored the 7-point ASSURED Prosperity policy thrust as robust and salutary, Expectedly, the Government has since hit the ground running, pursuing and galvanizing Bayelsans for a holistic development of our dear state. The reconstructed/dualized Opolo Market-Opolo Roundabout section of the OpoloElebele road is a testament of the Urban Renewal vision of the ASSURED Prosperity focus of the Government. Amazingly, that section of the road where the Diete Koki Memorial Hospital, the gate of the Central Epie Secondary School, part of Opolo Market, Churches and other critical private business concerns are located has become a signature, project of the ASSURED Prosperity. It is incontestable by international standards, that the road is a pride to Bayelsans. It has arguably eased vehicular and pedestrian traffic which used to be unreasonably chaotic in the past. Students can now easily access their school on time, patients and staff can access and exit Dieke Koki Memorial Hospital, Christian faithful can also easily access and exit their churches located along that street, which also serves as a veritable link to adjoining roads in the area. Furthermore, the completion of the dualized road has boosted the fortunes of businesses located in that area, in addition to the beautiful aesthetics and positive ambiance. Unfortunately, however, as with most human efforts the flip side is not so pleasant. Indeed, the reconstructed/dualized Opolo Market-Opolo Roundabout section of the Opolo-Elebele road has left in its wake tears, sorrows, anguish, despondency, hopelessness and general feeling of hard done by to residents of the area including the Government establishments, churches and businesses. Curiously, the width of the road was narrowed/reduced from the earlier improvement to the original defunct Rison Palm constructed road, which the Late Chief. D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha had in his wisdom and good conscience, expanded upon, when it was laced with concrete paving stones. Having noticed the danger that lie ahead in the remodeled, narrowed road, when the project was to begin, community leaders, environmentalists and other concerned critical stakeholders, drew the attention of Julius Berger Nig. Plc and the Government to the potential disaster the road portends, but the advice was disdainfully dismissed with a wave of the hand. It is now painfully obvious that proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not carried out or its report was swept under the carpet, in the course of the project execution. Sadly, the shallow, narrow “drainage” constructed by Julius Berger Nig. Plc was intentionally designed to collect water from the dual carriage way and thus blocking the flow of water from the neighbourhood, which should have naturally emptied into the drainage. Painfully, the shallow, narrow “drainage” constructed by Julius Berger is more or less a glorified gutter collecting water from the dual carriage way, not emptying into any flowing stream or bigger drainage for a continuous free flow. Consequently, the school, Opolo Market, Diete Koki Memorial Hospital, residential houses, Businesses, Churches located in the densely populated area are submerged at the slightest rainfall. This poses a great health hazard and security threat as the area being water logged, has suddenly become a veritable breeding ground for mosquitos, reptiles and even pose grave danger to patients, students and other residents in the area. Another grave danger is that transformers located/installed in the area get submerged in the avoidable flooding which the road construction has left in its wake. People can easily be electrocuted if something drastic and decisive is not done. Bayelsans are very concerned since this government is poised to deliver Security, Peace Building, Robust Healthcare Delivery etc to the people encapsulated in the seven (7) point ASSURED Prosperity Agenda. Thus, residents and all well meaning, Bayelsans are unanimous in demanding short, medium and long term interventions from the Government for concerted, decisive action now, before water of a dualized reconstructed road turns to garri, for residents and others shuttling the area. First, an urgent stakeholders engagement should be convened, without further delay. Again, the Ministry of Works & Infrastructure should as a matter of urgent concern galvanize MDAs and other stakeholders/partners in opening up the blocked old drainage, link up with the drainages/channel of water from the community, to ameliorate the current hardship. These are short term solutions/interventions that should not be ignored. It is further suggested as medium term solutions that the drainage, culvert and water receptor by Opolo Roundabout be opened up and enabled to collect and provide easy flow of water through the natural channels behind Pados Filling Station. Furthermore, the drainage line on the right of way from the Opolo Roadabout down Elebele Road, via Kpansia ll be opened up, as that is a foolproof channel for water flow down to Asam Creek in Kpansia ll, before 16 Brigade Headquarters. All road constructions in the Urban Renewal thrust of the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda should engage with relevant stakeholders and adhere strictly, to EIA reports, going forward. This writer and supporters of the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda are convinced that the dysfunctional, cosmetic, narrow and shallow glorified gutter constructed by Julius Berger which has brought untold hardship to the people should be reviewed and amended/corrected, without delay. Also, the time is ripe for a comprehensive drainage master plan and dredging of Epie Creek in order to clinically solve the recurring flash floods induced by dysfunctional drainage system in Yenagoa and environs. It is strongly hoped that the government would work the talk by rising to the occasion in promptly addressing these growing concerns which if not nipped in the bud, could rubbish the ambitious Urban Renewal Vision and the desire to transform Yenagoa into a modern City as envisioned and stated in several fora by His Excellency. A stitch in time, will surely save the people from the manmade hardships and hazards induced by the remodeled, dualized, reconstructed Opolo Market- Opolo Roundabout section of the Opolo-Elebele road. The time for action is NOW!