Upata Kingdom has called on the public to help her in her ambitious project of constructing a ring-road that will link the kingdom with three other local government areas.
In a statement titled “A Call For Help” and signed by Comrade Oyagiri Monday, the Special Assistant on Media to the Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, the Igbu Upata the 3rd, the kingdom said that “For several decades, efforts by the people of Upata Kingdom in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State to have an access road from its ancestral home, Ula Upata community passing through Ihuike, Okpogaudhodhu communities to Edeoha Town, the Kingdom’s administrative headquarters had failed as successive administrations in Rivers State had denied them such requests.
“Not deterred by this ugly scenario, the people kept on with their determination and courage to have a road to reduce the sufferings of both young and old people.
” However, after several years of struggle to get approval to commence the construction of the community based road, God used the single effort of His Royal Majesty, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Ph.D, the Eze Igbu Upata III of Upata Kingdom to intervene.
” The people did witnessed the flag off of the grading of the road and work is in earnest, courtesy of the Eze. The road when properly constructed will not only be to the benefit of Upatans alone but to the entire Ahoada East local government area and by extension, the entire people of Rivers State.
“The road is more of a ring-road whose network connects Ahoada West, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Abua/Odual local government areas.
” It is gratifying that the people through Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo have decided to take their destiny in their hands, but are however soliciting collaboration, partnership and support from all and sundry particularly, governments for a permanent road construction.
“The intervention of the Upata Monarch has brought relief, dissuading many residents and members of the affected communities who planned to abandon their villages because of non availability of access road. With the ongoing grading, Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo has continued to prove his deep sense of service and devotion.
“The question is, why should a traditional ruler be left to bear the cost of opening-up a community base road while government exist at all levels? This singular act of the Eze, should prick government to rise to its obligation to citizens by approving the permanent construction of the Upata Unity Road”
