- Watch Video of the protests at Akwuke Enugu
The truism that “a man who works really deserves to eat” is not true in Akwuke; it’s reversed. And the mass turnout in the Saturday’s protests only served to highlight this, as well as the growing disillusionment among these hardworking indigenes.
Of course, any critic could dismiss it merely as some politically motivated civil action owing to the timing. Such a person may cite its proximity to the coming council polls and to the 2027 general elections. Yet, a closer and objective perusal would not only erase such small talk, but it would also strengthen the weight behind the righteous demands of the protesting community.
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Also, anyone who takes time to watch the viral video clips would see why the protesters are worth listening to. In one of the clips, an elderly man directly addressed Governor Peter Mbah. Behind this old man’s passionate appeal to the governor lies a very simple import: Akwuke is sinking. The man talked of how their women and children laboured, and yet suffered the same fate as the people who don’t work with their hands.
The two major Akwuke roads are deathtraps – impediments which lead to glitch in the flow of Inyama sands. And as a result of the inaccessible roads, hundreds of youths, who depend on the sands for daily bread, are left stranded. And the women. And the men. And the tenants. That’s what the man was saying: for many struggling families, the flow of Inyama sands decide the quality of life – everyday.
It’s, therefore not a bad call as far as I’m concerned. The old man’s words hit at the very fabrics of Akwuke community, and aptly reflected the predicament of the silent majority. It wasn’t meant to embarrass the governor – as some sycophants may want to tell him. It was a humble, passionate call for the Chief Executive of the state to save his people from horrible existence.
Akwuke Electric: A dark spot in the middle of Goshen
The aged protester raised another all-important issue for the people of Akwuke: light.
Bordered by Akegbe Ugwu by west, Ngwo by east and, Nsude and Amaechi by north and south respectively, Akwuke has been in darkness for more than five years. No electricity. And no hope. Incidentally, all these surrounding communities enjoy the pleasure of electricity, while Akwuke reclines in darkness and forlorn. Its also the only town in entire Enugu South suburban areas living without light.
Keke drivers’ ugly tales on Akwuke roads tell more
You wouldn’t need to look far before you see why the protest appeared to be championed by the Akwuke Keke Union (AKU). The members came out in their numbers and led the way.
For the average Keke rider plying Akwuke roads, it wasn’t just another march for government’s attention. It was a window to let out a deep-rooted frustration or sheer helplessness he sees on the roads on daily basis. Since 2021 I’ve taken a keen interest on the plight of these hustling men. Some of them visit the mechanics two or more times a day – to either repair a faulty tyre, to tighten a loosed bolt or to straighten a bent rim. Most of them are only working hard in order not to owe the mechanics too much or to make sure they service the daily payments as hire-purchasers.
On the surface, the neglected Akwuke roads is an eyesore, causing pains. But beyond that lies an unease economic anguish and subtle cultural dysfunctions. If a Keke man can’t put ordinary food on the table for his family – despite faithfully labouring for it – would he be able to pay his kids’ school fees? Or to pay for their healthcare? Or for their general upkeep?
The bad roads would take extra bills from the Keke man. So he won’t be able to give his family the basic necessities of life. That’s the ugly loops; it’ll lead to a bad family, and bad families would ultimately lead to a bad society of violent crimes and all vices.
Why Gov Peter Mbah and him alone can help Akwuke
It’s often said, without proofs anyways, that severally in the past, the Akwuke roads were entered in the Enugu state budgets for construction, but some people embezzled the funds all of these periods.
While it’s to be condemned – supposing this is true – I feel it isn’t right a time to focus on the foggy bygones of yesterday. Let’s only look to the future.
From my personal observation as one who’s very sensitive among these great people, attempt to check the past would only create more rivalries and so shred to pieces the hope for progress. Instead, I feel that Governor Peter Mbah should personally take up the responsibility of building Akwuke into the enviable height it truly deserves. There are more to gain in doing the roads.
Politically, the governor could hope to reap several thousand voters among the 311,000-population during the polls. But more importantly, the Akwuke roads don’t only lead to the natives’ compounds, or to the tenants’ rented corners. They lead far beyond these into the vast wealth of nine lucrative natural resources hidden deep in the mountains all across Akwuke horizons.
It’s been proven that Akwuke is rich with vast deposits of gold, coal, alum, granite and gravel. Inyama River flows through Akwuke, creates beach of expensive glass sand and sharp sand. There is also clay in Akwuke.
It’s, therefore, very regrettable that a people so blessed by God is suffering in this magnitude by the amendable man-made missteps.
Accessible Akwuke roads represents enormous benefits to the incumbent governor and the future ones. And it’ll benefits the people, too. The agitation of the protesters shouldn’t be misunderstood. Instead, the agitation deserves highest attention, and their pain a speedy response from the government.