The new Ochanja round about constructed by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, came alive this morning with placard carrying market men and women from Ochanja market and residents of Fegge, a neighbourhood close to Ochanja market.
According to their spokesman, Chief Okwudili Obinwanne, they are protesting against the antics of desperate politicians who are sparing no effort in attempt to discredit the good work that Governor Soludo is doing in Ochanja, Onitsha and Anambra State as a whole.
He said that as far as they are concerned nothing is wrong with the road. The contractor was putting the initial layer of asphalt on the road when the very first major rain in Anambra fell with the attendant flood unseating the hot asphalt that is yet to settle on the stone base and cement stabilization components that had earlier been compacted on the stretch of road. And that as far as they know, nothing happened to warrant the recriminations and campaign of calumny being carried against Soludo and his government.
Chief Obinwanne disclosed that for over four decades, subsequent governments have come and gone (including this opposition government) without thinking of reconstructing or doing any meaningful palliative on the Ochanja road. Before now, the road was one dusty and cratered stretch that never crossed the previous governors minds. But within two years of Soludo’s administration their story changed in a manner that beat their imagination. Moreso, the quality of roads are Julius Berger standared, with street lights to match.
The Chairman said the people will not tolerate any politician that dares to play dirty politics with their welfare.
Mrs Imelda Akunobi from Fegge said that since 1999, no governor has remembered the road until Governor Soludo came in. A retired teacher, she recalled how harrowing it was going to work through that road. They would carry spare shoes and dresses to change when they get to school.
Another prominent orange merchant in the market, Mrs Eucharia Chukwuma (alias nwanyi Achalla) said Solution is a game changer. She said that flood water used to carry children when their was rain but all that have become history.
The excited market women sang the praises of Governor Soludo as they matched up and down the Ochanja road under construction.