Tochukwu Chukwu
THE Deputy Minority leader, house of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, has expressed his disappointment over the vandalisation of Community road Signages, installed at different strategic points in the Awgu, Aninri and Oji river federal constituency.
Speaking to our correspondent, CHIDINMA MADU, in an exclusive interview, the lawmaker expressly described his dissatisfaction over the act of destruction and ingratitude, on the part of the Vandals.
SIGNAGES ARE MUCH OBTAINABLE IN THE METROPOLIS, HOWEVER A VISIT TO AWGU, ANINRI AND OJI SHOWED THAT IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED THEREIN, LEADING TO HOMETOWNS, WHAT PROMPTED SUCH?
I am surprised that you said that Signages are seen in the Metropolis. Our local area and communities have aspirations to be like the Metropolis. In any case, it is not meant to be exclusive for the Cities. Signages are a part of Road Furniture, made for road intelligence, giving directions without enquiries. They provide information on distance making it possible for road user to decide on which journey to embark on. Its part of our Urban renewal program to bring our communities upto speed. It is made to make travelling easier for road users, it avoids misdirection, it saves man-hour. It saves road hazards, with relation to misdirection by hoodlums so as to rob you off your properties or even life. We designed it to help our people.
WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THE SIGNAGES ARE BEING PULLED DOWN, THE LOCALS HAVE REPORTED AT THEIR COMMUNITY LEVEL, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THIS?
It is bad for people to tamper with what is meant to improve our lives. It isn’t just serving me. We have stranger in our communities, we have returnees, some of which can’t tell the communities apart. It is bad that people deliberately pulled those Signages down. It could be because of lack of Value or part of Criminal activities. It is quite Sad. We have to be at alert to protect the things around us. Those hoodlums who tamper with community facilities should be held accountable. This is only achievable by being at alert and security conscious. You don’t let them slide. People temper with community facilities and go Scot free, because nobody is raising am eyebrow. No one is asking questions. This is still the same thing as numbering our streets, it aides in receiving of letters, no need of your letters going through the big landmarks like churches and Schools before getting to you, but people choose to abuse it.
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE WAYS OF CURBING THIS MENACE?
When we realized that people were cutting and carting away with them, we told the contractor and those responsible for the installation to reinforce them with concrete. However, a more lasting solution will be for everyone to be at alert, let’s be active towards securing installations in our communities. The ones at Agbogugu, Nenwe and Ihe junctions were severed, road signs that directs people from no fewer than ten communities. It doesn’t say well for our people, it shows lack of appreciation and aspirations. What is wrong with having road signs?
THE COMMUNITY ROADS AROUND THIS HEMISPHERE ARE QUITE GOOD AND MOTORABLE, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO ATTRACT THEM?
If you’ve been to Geneva or Switzerland, you’ll see that every topographical or geographical inadequacies can be turned to an advantage. That’s what we are trying to do. This Is a tourist area, its part of Udi hills that cut across Enugu west, down to Abia state. People that come here for tourism have major problem with access, but with these roads they can drive through the communities with ease. They enjoy our waterfalls, vegetation sight seeing, hiking and mountain climbing, very soon, we can have avenue for boat cruise. This is a Shining City on the hill.
ARE THERE AVENUES TO CREATE AWARENESS AND WIDE RANGE PUBLICITY FOR THESE NATURAL TOURIST CITES
Yes, UGAMATV has been doing our publicity jobs and so far, they are good to go. We also have our community platforms for advertising, but we need to get the place ready for people to visit and have a good time.
WE’D LOVE TO KNOW THE PROGRESS OF THOSE TRAINEES ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF SNAIL AND FISH FARMING
So, far we’ve encouraged them to set up cooperatives to help themselves, they took an inventory of their fishes, they have about 4000 fishes. They are growing well. They are exhibiting a nice team spirit. This can avail them CBN loans and grants. They can have peer review to help and encourage each other.
Chisom Orjiogbu
