Eze Chike Okorie, the traditional leader of Ntalakwu Ancient Kingdom in Bende, Abia State, has requested urgent assistance from both the Federal Government and Governor Alex Otti. He is seeking immediate repairs for the Umuokpe Ntalakwu road and a solution to the community’s severe lack of clean water.
Speaking on the difficulties faced by his people, the former police officer noted that the crumbling infrastructure has crippled local commerce and created serious health risks. Rural residents face isolation, while those in urban centers find it nearly impossible to visit their ancestral home. Agricultural output has plummeted, devastating the local farming economy.
The severity of the road conditions was highlighted by an incident where a vehicle transporting a deceased person became stuck in mud, requiring local youth to carry the casket by hand to the burial site. Furthermore, the monarch expressed deep concern over the lack of potable water, forcing the entire community to rely on a single, potentially unsafe stream for all their daily needs.
Community leaders William Osondu and Divine Uka added that the damaged, hilly terrain makes it extremely difficult for children to reach school safely. They echoed the monarch’s plea, urging the state and federal authorities to prioritize their community alongside other ongoing infrastructure developments in the region.
