Ibusa is
the largest town in Oshimili North Local Government even though the
administrative headquarters is at Akwukwu-Igbo. But for the purpose of this
article, the bureaucracy that prominently played out in the anomalies that
elicited the location is better reserved for another pedestal. Despite the
aforementioned population status, the town also hosts the largest work force of
the Delta civil service. Okpanam, another town in the local government
populates another major horde of the economic relevance in the Delta State
capital outside Asaba. Most of the stakeholders that control the ace in the
state capital reside and prides as property owners at Okpanam. Together, the
three towns control a major influence as far as the state capital development
indices are concerned. It is however an affront that the case is a matter of
‘it would have been’. The geographical conurbation and master plan in the
entire planning is nothing to write home about.
Methinks
that at the establishment of ACDA at the dawn of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s
administration that the first development plan is to link up the three towns
into an economic friendly holus bolus. But unfortunately, it is appalling that
connecting other towns in the same local government, a traveller from Ibusa
must connect another local government. Either it is Oshimili South through
Asaba, or Aniocha South through Ogwashi-Uku. This means that the only link that
would have connected Ibusa and her nearest local government brother,
Okpanam remain a neglected narrow footpath farm way only meant for peasant
farmers, grazers and thus causing a great security threat to them most times.
Quite disgusting is that for many years of successive PDP-controlled
government, not a thought ever flashed their minds regarding this shortcoming.
Or could it be that it has severally been awarded and only abandoned with the
funds meant for it diverted or misappropriated? More surprising is the fact
that the local government has been actively represented in these
administrations in all cadres.
Basically,
I really do not want to see the continuous neglect of this all important road
as a means to disparage the people of Oshimili North Local Government Area. Presently,
the Ibusa end of that road has been inhumanly converted to a refuse dump. As a
result, I see a timely attention to that road warding off this act of
inhumanity, especially with the present road construction and rehabilitation
agenda of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa. This clarion therefore becomes necessary because
Ibusa is also part of the Asaba capital territory.
More so,
one thing the state government has failed to realize is the abundant benefits
accruable with the construction of the link road coupled with the economic
factors attached. Overtime, I wonder what any government economic policy will
be if not to think about harnessing and utilizing the resources inherent within
the state. To think that among the avalanche of SSAs and SAs on the pay roll of
the governor, none have ever thought of investing to harvest. I mean that
opening up this link road is an investment waiting to be harvested.
Apart
from linking up road to connect the two towns, is it not right to believe that
the road holds a lot of economic potentials in terms of development vis a vis
its proximity to the airport? There is no doubt that the speed at which
development is springing up in Okpanam and Ibusa that a government school sited
at equidistance can serve the two towns. Presently, the cosmopolitan status of
Ibusa has grown beyond the present site of Ashia Eke market in the town. Hence,
the siting of a bigger and more organized market can serve a myriad of purposes
that will muster big revenue drive not only to the local government, but the
state at a larger scale.
The
possibilities of an expanse dualized road link between Ibusa and Okpanam will
checkmate the incessant threat of Fulani herdsmen on our bushes. A quick
indices on the attacks are rife that their operational environment routes to
bushes around this axis. By the time structures begins to spring up along the
road and the adjoining links to Azagba-Ogwashi and Iselle-Azagba, the
surrounding bushes that house their hideouts will be exposed. This done,
another victory against their menace will be achieved in no distant time.
Importantly,
a journey that would have lasted more in terms of financial cost and risky in
terms of connection will last not more than five minutes to achieve at a lesser
cost for any traveler connecting the two towns. With full development activity
of the agency within the capital territory, I feel it is wise to consider this
lingering connecting link road for a speedy construction and utter development
of the capital territory and give it a befitting status it deserves.
The
governor, without doubt, is doing well in terms of road construction and
rehabilitation. Evidences on ground have proven beyond bounds that he is really
‘talk and do’ indeed. The recent assurance on the upgrading of the Asaba
International Airport, which will equally serve as a unique connector and open
up economic activities within this link road, when constructed, is enough
pointer. Hence, the numerous benefits attached to the opening of this road
remain unparalleled as elucidated.
In
conclusion, it is expedient on the relevant authorities to look into; if there
have been previous cases of contract award on this road. If not, a serious
consideration of this piece becomes a sine qua non. The contributions of the
local government both to the socio-political and socio-economic relevance of
the state are also enough consideration to give a look into this appeal.
by Philip Ng. Ifechukwude
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