The road leading to Avutu, the hometown of the late Chief Sam Mbakwe, former Governor of Imo State, has deteriorated into a deplorable condition, drawing concerns from residents and commuters.
Once a relatively busy route connecting communities within the Obowo Local Government Area, the road has now been overtaken by potholes, constant flooding, and erosion, making daily movement both difficult and dangerous.
Travellers and locals lament that each rainfall worsens the situation, as floodwater submerges portions of the road, creating deep gullies that vehicles struggle to navigate.
Many parts of the route have become practically impassable, forcing motorists to resort to alternative paths through villages or risk vehicle breakdowns while attempting to pass.
Pedestrians equally find it strenuous to walk across muddy stretches, especially schoolchildren and traders who rely on the road to reach nearby markets and schools.
Residents of Avutu and neighbouring communities have repeatedly called on the Imo State Government to fix the road, describing its neglect as both an eyesore and a disrespect to the memory of the late Sam Mbakwe — widely regarded as one of the state’s most visionary leaders.
Mbakwe, who governed the old Imo State between 1979 and 1983, earned the title “the weeping governor” for his emotional appeals to the Federal Government over the plight of his people and his commitment to infrastructural development.
Community leaders and youth associations in Obowo have organized several awareness campaigns and written petitions appealing for the road’s reconstruction, but no visible action has yet been taken.
Some residents express disappointment that despite Avutu’s symbolic significance in Imo’s political history, successive administrations have failed to give it due recognition through tangible development.
Many believe that rehabilitating the road would not only honor Mbakwe’s legacy but also stimulate economic activity in the region.
Transport operators who ply the route say their vehicles now suffer frequent damage due to the poor road surface.
The cost of spare parts and repeated repairs, they note, has pushed transportation fares upward, affecting small businesses and local trade.
Farmers in the area also complain that moving their produce to urban centers like Owerri and Umuahia has become increasingly expensive and time-consuming.
As the situation worsens, residents are urging Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration to intervene urgently by reconstructing the road and improving drainage systems to curb recurring floods.
They maintain that true respect for past leaders like Dr. Sam Mbakwe lies not only in naming monuments after them but also in sustaining the infrastructure that connects their legacies to the people they once served.