*Failed Road is a Federal Road, Protesters Are Politicians – LGA Chairman

*We’re Protesting Over Internal Roads – Traditional Ruler

There is palpable tension in Etche Local Government Area (ELGA) of Rivers State over a planned peaceful protest by indigenes and residents of the area against the state of roads in the LGA which is billed to hold on Monday, July 6, 2020.

The lead organizer of the peaceful protest and prominent traditional ruler in Etche, Chief Noble Nwugha had in a statement made available to newsmen within the week lamented the state of internal roads in the area, saying the unmotorable condition of the roads was a disturbing situation which residents of the area were suffering from.

He added that beyond the hardship it has caused his people, the economy and communal living of the LGA was suffering excruciatingly.

But the Chairman of the LGA, Obinna Anyanwu said the road in question is a federal road, which needs the permission of the Federal Government to fix, warning the organizers of the protest to desist from such venture or face stiff penalties.

Etche LGA in Rivers State shares boundary on the northern flank with Abia State but have in recent times been suffering from the lack of motorable roads. The roads in the area have deteriorated to unimaginable conditions such that motorists and other road users in the area spend several hours to get to their destination.

Chief Nwugha stated that “the good people of Etche have agreed and planned to embark on a peaceful protest initiated by concerned patriotic indigenes of Etche on Monday, 6th July as a result of sheer neglect of the internal roads in Etche Local Government Area”.

He listed the affected roads to include: Igboh/Eleme Roads, Umuebule/Igboh Etche Roads, Chokoche/Okomoko roads, Umuechem/Egwi link roads, Ulakwo/Akwu Roads, stressing that Nihi/Odufor roads and Okehi/Igbodoh roads which lead to several villages in Etche have been abandoned by the government. 

He disclosed that already, a police permit has been obtained from the State Commissioner of Police to hold a peaceful protest and, therefore, called on the people of the area to “come out en masse as the plans remain exactly as they are, with the covers of the Commissioner of Police which we have already applied to and have gotten adequate order to go about it peacefully without being stopped or attacked by anyone”.

On his part, Anyanwu warned the protesters to discountenance the protest, accusing them of attempting to discredit the State Governor, Nyesom Wike “over the failed portions of the Etche-Okpoala federal road”.

“The sole aim of the planned “gang-up” protest by some members of PDP and APC is to discredit Governor Nyesom Wike who is up and doing in the service of the State, including Etche Local Government Area.”

The Etche LG boss declared that prior to the administration of Wike, Etche LGA was inaccessible by road, a claim some Etche indigenes who spoke with Kristina Reports have dismissed as unfounded. 

“My great people of Etche, you are aware that at the inception of Governor Nyesom Wike’s administration, there was no single road to get to Etche Local Government Area. The Governor out of sheer love for our people, opened up the corridors from Igwuruta-Chokocho, Chokocho-Igbo-Rumuokwurusi, followed by Chokocho-Ozuzu, Ulakwo-Nihi and now, the ongoing Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye road.”

“It is therefore ridiculous that there are those ganging up now to protest against the spoilt area from Chokocho Bridge to Okehi. Our people should appreciate the good things the Governor has done working in concert with leadership of Etche PDP without any delegation being sent”.

Recall that Kristina Reports had yesterday informed of the abrupt resignation of the Chairman’s spokesman, Obiajunwa Divine Nnochiri without reasons which came at a time when his expertise would have been most needed. It gives credence to the thinking that all may not be well amongst the decision makers of ELGA together with its residents.

As the countdown begins to the protest slated for tomorrow at the location of the said failed roads, residents of the area and close watchers await with bated breath what will happen on Monday.

Will the contending parties make good their threat or will there be a rapprochement to ease the tension in the area? Will the State Government intervene given the fact that the State Commissioner for Works, Austin Ben Chioma is an Etche son?

We will bring you updates on developments in Etche LGA as they unfold.