FUTO STUDENTS LAMENT DILAPIDATED ROADS, INSECURITY, AND TRANSPORT CRISIS, DEMAND GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Students’ Union Government of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, has issued a desperate appeal to the federal and state governments over the appalling state of major access roads leading to the institution, warning that the worsening conditions are endangering lives, disrupting academic activities, and fuelling insecurity.
In a statement made available on Tuesday and co-signed by SUG President Blessed Ogbonna and Secretary General Opara Prince, the union described the situation as “a harrowing reality,” noting that students and staff are being financially strangled, academically stranded, and left vulnerable to criminal attacks due to the failed roads.
“The very roads meant to connect us to education have become a perilous nightmare, endangering academic pursuits, crippling our finances, and escalating the threat of insecurity,” the union declared.
The worst-affected routes, according to the union, are the Obinze–FUTO front gate road and the Ihiagwa–FUTO back gate road described as “vital lifelines” that have become virtually impassable. The SUG lamented that the Obinze road has been completely inaccessible for over four months due to abandoned construction works, while the Ihiagwa axis has long remained a “disaster zone.”
“Our transportation costs have skyrocketed, draining our pockets and crushing our spirits,” Ogbonna said, stressing that the roads have cut off lecturers and staff, disrupting the entire academic environment.
Public Relations Officer Paul Alajemba added that the failing infrastructure has taken a toll on business and commerce within the university environment. “These damaged access roads are not only demarketing the university’s public image but have also led to a steep increase in the cost of goods and services,” he noted.
The union further criticised delays in implementing the federal government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) campus mobility initiative. Despite the arrival of CNG tricycles, students said the vehicles remain unusable as the CNG filling station has been under stalled construction for over four months. Promised CNG buses have also not been delivered.
“This commendable initiative has become a mere fairy tale for the FUTO community,” the statement added.
Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Chikwendu Emenike Orji, was quoted acknowledging the road crisis and noting that the Imo State Government is making efforts, albeit slowly, to address the situation.
The SUG also linked the bad roads to a spike in insecurity, citing reports of increased robberies and attacks on students in off-campus lodges. “These deplorable roads provide perfect cover for criminals, making it nearly impossible for security agencies to respond swiftly,” the union said.
The students called for urgent intervention to rehabilitate the access roads, expedite the CNG infrastructure project, and enhance campus and community security, warning that continued inaction could worsen an already dire situation.
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