REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The People of Oraukwu Community, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State are enjoying a new lease of life with significant improvement in economic and Social activities in area .
This is following the completion of a four point Nine kilometer road that connects the community with Oraukwu and Nimo in Njikoka local government area by the Anambra State government.
Oraukwu is one of the communities in Anambra state that is renowned for the production and processing of bitter leaf popularly called Onugbu in local Igbo language and used in preparing the tasty Onugbo or bitter leaf soup.
Over the years the poor condition of the now reconstructed Oraukwu Nimo road has constituted great hindrance to farmers in Oraukwu and Neighbouring communities in transporting processed and unprocessed bitter leaf and other agricultural produce to places particularly urban centres where they are highly needed and used in preparing the popular Bitter leaf soup.
This explains why their joy knew no bounds when the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo awarded the contract for the construction of the road as explained by an indigene , Professor Solo Chukwulobelu.
” This is a road that the both communities, Oraukwu and Nimo have cried for, for more than a decade,but it was under mr Governor ,Soludo that the road was awarded and it can now be seen completed. It is a very important road, because this is the vegetable belt of the area.”
Professor Chukwulobelu who is the immediate past Secretary to Anambra state government, explained that the road had not only aided vehicular movement but encouraged farmers in Oraukwu who pride in the cultivation of bitter leaf to expand their farms.
” You see land is a major problem for ndi Anambra, so any road that opens up access to new areas then those areas can now be brought into either agricultural or industrial purpose and that is part of what this road has done. I am particularly grateful to Mr Governor. “
For Mrs Ngozi Emekabor and Chief Patrick Oyeduba the road apart from connecting their community with Nimo , leads to Awka the State. Capital.
” From this road now you reach to Awka the State capital straight,it is a very important road for the people of Oraukwu and we say thank you to Mr Governor”
Another Farmer, Mrs Augustina Chinemeru thanked the government for the construction of a bridge across iyi ukwu river which is the area where women in the community source clean water for the processing of the bitter leaf before transporting it out to sale .
” I really thank the government for remembering this road, this road will help a lot to export our goods, our bitter leaf because our own is different from others, it’s very soft. “
The President General of Igboukwu ,Chief Emma Olikaeze observed that the road is of immense economic, social, and Security importance to Oraukwu and other Communities as it has contributed to making life easier for the people of both Idemili North and Nijikoka local government areas.
” this area is known for Onugbu, all this water ,the river is hoping for the cultivation of bitter leaf , when you Google it, you see that our bitter leaf is different. This road connects us with our brothers in Nimo and other places. We are very grateful to Governor. “
On his part, Obi Chukwumemekalum Udodeme said aside the aiding of vehicular and human movements, the road is already serving as an alternative route to the popular Okacha junction which usually witness gridlock during festive periods.
" Oraukwu we are the highest producers of Bitter leaf, they have ope wd up that road for easy access for the farmers to carry their products to the center of the town and to other areas. And if I want to go to Awka now , it will take me ten minutes, so that toad is very important "
In an interview, the member representing Njikoka Constituency 2 in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Jude Akpua said the road was very strategic to his constituents especially residents of Nimo community who also indulge in the business of cultivating and processing bitter leaf among other agricultural produce.
