A major link road in Orumba South of Anambra state that has long been abandoned despite repeated appeals from residents, has finally become motorable following the completion of the 16.4-kilometre Nawfija–Ajali–Ufuma–Ogbunka corridor.
The development has altered movement across the axis, especially for commuters who previously spent hours navigating failed portions or detouring through congested routes.
Businesswoman, Obiageli Okwubanego, told journalists in Abuja that the push for the road started in 2019 during the funeral of her mother, Chief Mrs. Agnes Igwenagu Okeke, when the terrible condition of the route made access almost impossible for mourners.
She said, “When Professor Soludo later declared interest in contesting for governor, I went back to my people and urged them to support him with the assurance that the road would be done. I also appealed to him to extend the road project to Ogbunka, my mother’s hometown.”
She added that journey time on the corridor has reduced by about two hours since the road opened. Travellers heading to Umuaku in Abia State, as well as Okigwe and Ndi-Iziogu in Imo State, now use the route simply to avoid the bottleneck around the Umunze Roundabout.
“For Christmas, Easter, August meetings, marriages and other celebrations, people can now travel home with ease and in large numbers,” she stated.
Residents are also beginning to see changes in daily trading patterns, with easier movement of goods across the communities. According to Okwubanego, Nawfija had no tarred road before this construction.
“Since I started visiting Nawfija community years ago, the residents had never enjoyed a tarred road. Soludo, through compassionate and selfless leadership, has now provided the people with their first properly constructed road,” she said.
On agriculture, she noted that the improved route has eased the evacuation of palm oil and other produce from the surrounding settlements, including the over-20-hectare Onuoigbo plantation sitting along the corridor.
“The famous Onuoigbo palm plantation, which spans over 20 hectares, is located along this road corridor in Nawfija, and the improved road network will greatly support the movement of farm produce,” she explained.
She added that the road has also opened up access to Ozi Stream, a popular spot for fishing and irrigation, which is expected to see increased foot traffic and commercial activity.
“With easier access to the famous Ozi Stream, human and business activities in the area will rise significantly.”
