At the moment, the Anambra State Government has begun the construction of a flyover near Aroma Junction in Awka which will connect one side of Ifite Awka to the other.
No doubt, it is a welcome development as it will add to the aesthetics of Awka. The main Ifite is also a densely populated area. However, building a flyover to connect the two Ifites, in retrospect, may not be a very compelling need at the moment compared to the greater need to build such across the express road connecting the two Regina Caeli Junctions in Awka.
The Regina Caeli Junction on the right, for one coming from Enugu, leads to many communities like Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu and others in the hinterlands. Many people also live in the Okpuno area which is vast. To access the Awka Main Town, there’s no direct route as they have to go through Kwara Junction to access the other part of the town. Even those on foot have to either risk crossing the busy express road or walking down to Unizik Junction to use the pedestrian bridge which is a considerable distance. Many have been killed while attempting to cross the express road.
Conversely, those living in the main Ifite can easily access the other side of Awka by either using the Aroma Junction or further down, the Immigration Junction. It is also much easier to cross the Aroma Junction on foot and less accidents have occurred there, if any.
Thus, ignoring building a flyover at the Regina Caeli Junction and building one at the Aroma Junction area doesn’t seem a great necessity. Considering the cost implications involved, it is not likely the problems at the Regina Caeli Junction area will be addressed any time soon.
Thus, while we commend the Anambra State Government for committing resources towards building a flyover at the Aroma Junction area, we believe that if proper needs assessment was done, that flyover being constructed should have been at Regina Caeli Junction.
Again, since the flyover project has already begun at the Aroma Junction area, at least a pedestrian bridge is urgently needed at Regina Caeli Junction. It will save lives and also provide convenience for the hundreds of people that try to access the other side of the town. The immediate past regime of Gov Willy Obiano promised to build a pedestrian bridge there but reneged on the promise eventually.
We therefore urge the Gov Chukwuma Soludo Administration to do the needful at the Regina Caeli Junction axis as a matter of urgency.
