Flooded Roads, Dark Streets: Asaba Residents Cry Out for Help

Residents of Ogbotobo Neighbourhood Community in Westend, Asaba, Delta State, have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently address their deplorable roads, persistent flooding and lack of streetlights, warning that the challenges are worsening hardship, disrupting businesses and exposing residents to security risks, particularly during the rainy season and at night.

Flooded Roads, Dark Streets: Asaba Residents Cry Out for Help

… Seek Governor Oborevwori’s Intervention

Residents of Ogbotobo Neighbourhood Community in Westend, Asaba, Delta State, have appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently address their infrastructure challenges, including the deplorable condition of their roads, lack of drainage facilities and absence of public lighting.

The residents said the situation had continued to expose households to hardship, disrupt economic activities and heighten security concerns, particularly during the rainy season and at night.

In the appeals, signed by the community’s Chairman, Onyia Kaine S., and Secretary, Maduabuchi Ngozi, Esq., the residents urged the state government to give their requests favourable consideration.

Copies of the appeals were also forwarded to the Chief of Staff to the Governor and the Secretary to the State Government.

In the two separate appeals addressed to the governor through the commissioners for Works and Energy, respectively, the community lamented that several streets in the neighbourhood had become difficult to navigate whenever it rained, while the absence of streetlights left the area in darkness after sunset.

The affected streets include Ogbotobo Crescent, Dunkwu Street, Uche Iwunor Street, Francisca Ajunam Hodder Street, Onuorah Close, Destiny Close and Joy Chi-Chi Street.

According to the residents, the absence of functional drainage channels had worsened the condition of the roads, with flooding making movement particularly difficult for schoolchildren, workers, traders and other residents.

They noted that the situation had also affected local businesses and hindered the smooth movement of people, goods and services within the neighbourhood.

Beyond the transportation challenges, the residents expressed concern that the poor road network and inadequate street lighting had created security vulnerabilities, making it difficult for security agencies, emergency responders and local vigilantes to access parts of the community and effectively monitor activities at night.

They warned that poorly illuminated streets and inaccessible roads could provide opportunities for criminal elements to operate and evade detection.

The residents said constructing durable roads, providing adequate drainage and installing solar-powered streetlights would improve living conditions, strengthen community security and support evening commercial activities.

They added that solar streetlights would provide sustainable public lighting, enabling residents returning from work and traders operating late to move around with greater confidence.

Appealing to Oborevwori to extend his administration’s infrastructure interventions to the neighbourhood, the residents said their requests aligned with the objectives of his MORE Agenda, particularly its emphasis on Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.

They expressed confidence that the governor would consider their appeals and ensure that Ogbotobo residents also benefited from efforts to improve infrastructure and living conditions across Delta State.

— By Veronica Odion