By Douglas Princemola
Residents of Umuguma community in Owerri West Local Government Area have appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to urgently intervene in the deplorable state of their access road, warning that they risk being cut off entirely from neighboring communities if the situation persists.
The once-busy road, which serves as a vital link between Umuguma, other parts of Owerri West, and adjoining areas in Owerri Municipal, has deteriorated into a near-impassable stretch. Years of neglect, coupled with flooding during the rainy season, have left deep gullies, washed-out sections, and unmarked drainage gutters that pose daily dangers to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Commuters say the condition of the road has crippled economic activities in the area. Many business owners have been forced to shut down or relocate, while transport fares have skyrocketed due to the risks faced by commercial drivers. In some cases, floodwaters have trapped residents indoors for days, cutting them off from schools, workplaces, and markets.
Community leaders noted that despite repeated appeals over the past year, the promised rehabilitation of the World Bank–Umuguma Road and the Assumpta–Umuguma Road has either stalled or progressed too slowly to offer relief. They also stressed the urgent need for kerbs and other safety measures along the drainage lines to prevent accidents, especially at night or during heavy rains when visibility is poor.
In May this year, Governor Uzodimma directed contractors to resume work on several key road projects, including the Assumpta–Umuguma Road, Hospital Road, and the Chosen–Dreamland Road. However, residents insist that immediate and sustained action is needed to avert a total collapse of their only major access route.
“This is more than just a bad road. It is a lifeline that connects us to the rest of the state. If it fails completely, our community will be stranded,” said one resident, who urged the state government to treat the matter as an emergency.
As the rainy season deepens, the people of Umuguma say they can only hope the latest directives from the governor translate into swift, visible work — before their road becomes a casualty of yet another year of neglect.
