The Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) has called on the Greater Ohafia Development Authority (GODA) to urgently rehabilitate the deteriorating Ebem Ohafia access road in Abia State and make public details of infrastructure spending within the Greater Ohafia development area.
The environmental rights organisation said the poor condition of the road extends beyond transportation concerns, warning that inadequate drainage, erosion, flooding and ecological degradation pose growing risks to residents, farmlands and public health.
In a statement issued over the weekend by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, FENRAD urged GODA and the Abia State Government to conduct an immediate engineering, environmental and ecological assessment of the affected road corridors and commence remediation without further delay.
The group argued that simply resurfacing the road or filling potholes would offer only temporary relief if underlying drainage failures and erosion problems are left unresolved.
FENRAD called for comprehensive interventions, including the construction and rehabilitation of stormwater drains and culverts, stabilisation of vulnerable road shoulders and embankments, protection of natural waterways, regular maintenance of drainage channels and continuous monitoring of rehabilitated areas, particularly during the rainy season.
It also urged authorities to address wider ecological challenges linked to infrastructure development, including flooding, soil erosion, sedimentation of waterways, loss of vegetation, poor waste management, dust pollution and the need for climate-resilient road designs capable of withstanding changing rainfall patterns.
The advocacy group further demanded greater transparency in the allocation and utilisation of public funds earmarked for roads, drainage and erosion-control projects in Greater Ohafia.
It called for public disclosure of budgetary allocations, project approvals, contractors, contract sums, implementation timelines, engineering assessments and maintenance arrangements.
While stressing that its demand should not be interpreted as an allegation of financial misconduct against GODA or any individual, FENRAD maintained that citizens have a legitimate right to know how public resources are planned, released and spent.
The organisation also urged the Abia State House of Assembly and other oversight institutions to strengthen monitoring of infrastructure and environmental spending in the area.
