Over the years, budgetary allocations have been made for road construction and
rehabilitation projects across the Nigeria by both the federal and state governments,
Imo inclusive.

The reason for this is not far fetched because it is a known fact that good roads enable
movement of people, goods and services and their effectiveness contributes greatly to
the economic prosperity of any state, given their role in driving commerce and
transportation.

A close look at the Imo state 2024 budget will reveal that out of a total budget of
N592,234,594,176 billion, the sum of N491,239,752,040.82 billion which represents
over 80 percent of the total budget was allocated to capital expenditure, which includes
road projects.

It is however disheartening that major roads in the Owerri capital city have only
deteriorated with little or no attention given them, thus begging for answers to the
question of whether budgeted capital expenditure is utilized for the purposes it is meant
since the responsibility of building good roads rests on government, who also control
the resources.

Imo state, known for its vibrant culture and resilient people, has a hard time navigating
failed internal roads, including but not limited to roads in the state capital of Owerri.
The Okpuala- Naze road and the Orji flyover, both located in Owerri North LGA have
been described by many as death traps, owing to their deplorable conditions, with
residents counting their losses.

One of the residents, Mrs Theresa Akpunku, a trader, blamed the state government for
“deliberately abandoning “ their responsibility.
“ They are not doing anything about it (Orji road). It’s been three years. Pedestrians
hardly see where to tread “, she said.
Another resident, Mr Ifeanyi Udoka, said the bad roads affect businesses, drop sales
and increase hardship.

Mrs Philomena Ekwe said that the state of the roads has rubbed off on the children,
who constantly fall into the swampy waters to and from school, resulting in damaged
school uniforms and minor injuries while negatively affecting children’s self confidence.

C- Advocate wishes to remind government at all levels that every pothole and parch of
damaged road adds to the rising cost of living, enables the falling standard of living, and
erodes public trust in government.
Greater transparency and accountability in the use of budgeted funds will involve a
paradigm shift from non utilization of budgeted funds to aggressive investments in
critical infrastructure such as roads.

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