The residents of Amaimo Umukabia community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State have raised an urgent alarm over the catastrophic state of their roads, calling on government at all levels to rescue them from what they describe as complete infrastructural neglect.
Community Leaders Voice Their Desperation
Led by community spokesman Nnorom Christian, the people staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, lamenting that their community has become virtually cut off from neighboring areas. Speaking exclusively with The Guardian, Christian emotionally appealed: "Please help us, please! Amaimo Umukabia people are crying. Our roads are bad. There is no road to bring out our farm produce. Our teachers cannot come to school to teach our children."
The community representative detailed how the situation has deteriorated into what he called "a debilitating nightmare" for residents who struggle to access basic services and transport their agricultural products to markets.
Economic Heartland Crippled by Neglect
Amaimo Umukabia is identified as a large and vibrant community situated near Agbaje, with bordering communities including Umuna, Ikpem, and Nzerem. The area boasts a substantial population primarily engaged in farming and trading activities.
The community serves as a major producer of numerous cash crops including:
- Palm oil
- Cassava
- Coconut
- Various fruits (oranges, mangoes)
- Timber
Despite this agricultural wealth, residents cannot effectively transport their produce to markets due to the impassable road conditions.
Multiple Crises Triggered by Road Collapse
The community specifically highlighted the terrible condition of their major road connecting Mbano Isiala HQ – Ikpem – Imo River and Okigwe town, which they describe as having become a death trap overgrown with bushes after years of government neglect.
The residents outlined several critical consequences of the road deterioration:
Transportation costs have skyrocketed, severely impacting local commerce and the ability to move agricultural products to markets. Farmers face enormous difficulties transporting produce, leading to significant spoilage and economic losses.
Access to healthcare has become limited as the poor road conditions hinder reach to medical facilities, putting lives at risk during emergencies. The road itself poses hazards causing frequent accidents and vehicle mechanical issues.
Education is suffering dramatically as both students and teachers struggle to commute to schools, affecting the quality of education available to children in the community.
Residents additionally face severe financial burdens due to constant vehicle repairs and maintenance caused by the terrible road surfaces.
Urgent Appeal for Government Intervention
In their passionate appeal, the community members stated: "We are citizens of this land, deserving of good lives and basic infrastructure. We beg you, our leaders, to intervene and save us from this suffering."
Their demands include:
- Immediate rehabilitation of their roads to make them safe for travel
- Provision of access to clean water and electricity
- Support for local agriculture and commerce
- Improvement of healthcare and educational facilities
The community has specifically called upon:
- The Federal Government of Nigeria
- The State Government of Imo State
- The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)
- Senators representing Imo State
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Churches and other faith-based organizations
Emphasizing their willingness to partner and contribute to community development, the residents made it clear they are not merely asking for aid but demanding their right to a better life. They urged immediate action to address their plight, warning that further delay would continue to cripple their community's economic and social wellbeing.
