-Blame Contractor Behind Collapsed EIICC Building
-Vows To Expose Him
Residents of Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State have lamented the poor quality of road construction in the area, alleging that some of the projects have caused more harm than good.
Some residents, who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity, accused the contractor handling several road projects in the area, particularly around Eze Aro Street and Carrot Junction, of delivering substandard jobs.
They expressed concern over what they described as a pattern of poor construction, alleging that the contractor was also responsible for the construction of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu Imo International Conference Centre (EIICC), which roof reportedly collapsed shortly after it was commissioned by the President, resulting in the loss of substantial public resources.
According to the residents, the quality of road construction in Orlu has deteriorated, with flooding becoming a recurring problem in several neighbourhoods.
“Before the poor-quality work carried out by this contractor, we had never experienced flooding of this magnitude in this area. Unfortunately, since the inception of the Hope Uzodimma administration, which engaged the contractor, the condition of many roads in Orlu has become alarming and life-threatening.
“The heavy flooding has repeatedly caused significant damage and losses to residents, while water channels constructed alongside the roads reportedly direct water into people’s homes and offices,” they alleged.
The residents further claimed that the contractor relied on direct labour involving workers they considered inexperienced, rather than engaging adequately skilled and experienced personnel to handle the projects.
They vowed to petition Governor Hope Uzodimma over the alleged poor quality of the road projects, adding that they had repeatedly complained to the Commissioner for Works, Raph Nwosu, without any meaningful resolution.
According to them, the commissioner appeared unable to address their concerns because the contractor was allegedly a close ally and confidant of the governor.
The residents also drew parallels between their complaints about the road projects and the controversy surrounding the collapse of the EIICC, insisting that the circumstances warranted greater scrutiny of the quality of public infrastructure projects in the state.
Expressing frustration over what they described as a disturbing situation, the residents threatened to stage a protest in Owerri to draw the attention of the state government and the general public to the deplorable condition of roads in Orlu and its environs.
They said the proposed protest would also seek to compel the relevant authorities to investigate the alleged substandard construction work and ensure that the affected roads and drainage systems were properly rehabilitated.
When contacted by our reporter, the contractor, whose name is being withheld, said he was outside the country but promised to instruct his workers to address the situation.
However, subsequent follow-up calls to his telephone were reportedly unanswered. He also did not return the calls or respond to text messages sent to him before this report was filed.
The residents urged the state government to investigate their complaints and ensure that contractors handling public infrastructure projects in Orlu and other parts of Imo State adhere to the required construction standards.
