By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
There have been repeated pleas by the government of Abia State to Abians to show some friendly disposition to the infrastructure put in place by the present administration, especially roads. These pleas stemmed mainly from the fact that some disgruntled elements have demonstrated unfavourable dispositions to some of the newly constructed or reconstructed roads.
Some are now deriving joy in dumping refuse in the drainage. The implication of this is glaring: these refuse will block the drainage and deter the free flow of storm water. When this happens, the storm water will return to the roads and cause flooding. When the flooding is not abated, the roads will start deteriorating.
This is why you notice succeeding administrations sometimes returning to roads that were built by the previous government. Gov Okezie Ikpeazu has insisted repeated that why he ensures quality in the roads he constructs is that he does not want administrations that will succeed him to return to roads he had previously built.
Economically, this is highly deficit, and considering the present economic conditions in the country where revenues, especially from the mainstay of the economy, crude oil, continues to fluctuate, it is highly unwise for governments to continue to invest and reinvest scarce resources on infrastructures the deficit attitudes of the citizens could not allow to outlive their life span.
This ugly practice has degenerated to a point that most elements within the major cities of the state have converted these roads into car wash businesses. Some of these materials used in this business, like detergents are very corrosive in nature and have the potentialities of compromising the integrity of these roads. More worrisome is that some motor in these cities have converted these roads into their workshops which also exposed these roads to the same fate resulting from the activities of the car wash proprietors.
The most comical is the recent activities of some drinking joints operators along Milverton Avenue who relocated their businesses to the middle of these newly constructed roads.
Government is a collaborative business and requires strong collaborations from the citizens for the business to walk effectively. On this note, the citizens owe crucial duties to both government and themselves by keeping the infrastructures provided by government in good conditions. This is because they are the primary beneficiaries of these amenities.
Also, the relevant agencies, especially the environmental protection agency should ensure that government’s actions tailored towards protecting these infrastructures should be strictly enforced. Where, legal actions should be implemented and people found culpable of those offences punished to serve as a deterrent to prospective offenders.
