Students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) have called on the Imo State and Federal Governments to urgently rehabilitate the severely damaged Obinze and Ihiagwa Roads.
They stated that the poor state of these roads has made accessing the institution increasingly difficult for the students
In a video message released to the media on Friday, the President of the FUTO Students Union Government (SUG), Comr. Blessed Munachimso Ogbonna, voiced the collective frustration of the student body.
“The Ihiagwa and Obinze Roads are in a deplorable condition, leaving us distressed and perplexed. The high transportation fares and the delays these bad roads cause are negatively impacting our academics,” Ogbonna lamented.
Ogbonna also appealed directly to Governor Hope Uzodimma and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
“The Students Union Government of FUTO appeals to Governor Uzodimma and President Tinubu to urgently fix the Obinze and Ihiagwa Roads. Repairing these major routes will ease traffic, reduce transportation costs, and enhance teaching and learning,” he stated.
The SUG President emphasized that repairing the roads would bring immense relief and gratitude from the university community.
“The students and staff of FUTO will remain happy and grateful if these roads are solidly and timely put in good shape,” Ogbonna added.
Also expressing the students’ concerns, the Dean of the Students Affairs Unit, Prof. Chikwendu Emenike Orji, highlighted the impact of the bad roads on academics.
“The poor state of the roads that link FUTO negatively affects academics, as staff and students struggle to cope with the situation,” Prof. Orji said.
Prof. Orji also drew attention to the substandard construction efforts currently underway on the Obinze Road near FUTO’s front gate.
“Labourers using headpans, shovels, and wheelbarrows for road construction is far from ideal. We urge Governor Uzodimma to ensure proper construction work is carried out,” he appealed.
However, Prof. Orji commended Governor Uzodimma for the progress made so far in addressing the Obinze FUTO Road.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the Imo State Government in starting the construction. We only ask that these efforts be expedited and improved to benefit the university community,” he concluded.
