By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory (ICA FCT) has lamented what it described as “the glaring imbalance in resource allocation,” citing the deplorable condition of roads linking Abuja to the South East.

The association made the lamentation in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, and signed by its President General, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, and Secretary General, Mazi Emmanuel Chinwoke Onah.

According to the group, roads connecting the Federal Capital Territory to the South East have suffered decades of neglect, turning them into what it called “death traps” for travellers.

“For decades, these roads have suffered neglect, becoming some of the most dilapidated in the nation,” ICA FCT said in the statement.

It added that the roads, allegedly abandoned by lawmakers and the Federal Government, have become breeding grounds for criminal activities, posing serious safety risks and disrupting economic activities in the region.

“Abandoned by lawmakers and the Federal Government, they’ve turned into havens for criminals, posing grave safety risks to travelers and undermining economic activities in the region,” the association stated.

The group warned that continued neglect of the road infrastructure fuels youth unrest, cripples trade, and deepens feelings of marginalization among people of the South East.

“This situation is unacceptable,” the association said, urging the Federal Government to “declare a state of emergency on these roads.”

It stressed that as Nigerians travel during the holiday season, the safety and dignity of citizens using the affected routes must be prioritized.

The association also called on lawmakers and the Minister of Works to take urgent steps to rehabilitate the roads, saying they should meet standards befitting a region it described as “integral to Nigeria’s unity and progress.”

“The poor state of these roads not only hampers development but also perpetuates insecurity, as criminals exploit these neglected corridors for nefarious activities,” ICA FCT said.

Reaffirming the South East’s role in national development, the group said the region “remains a vital part of Nigeria, contributing significantly to the nation’s economy and development.”

It demanded “better infrastructure, security, and equitable resource allocation,” adding that people of the South East deserve “safe passage, improved livelihoods, and genuine inclusion in Nigeria’s growth narrative.”

The association, however, issued a political warning ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that communities in the South East may mobilize against lawmakers who fail to act on the issue.

“We warn that the patience of South East communities is wearing thin,” the statement said.

“Come 2027, if our lawmakers fail to act decisively on this issue, we will not hesitate to mobilize voters against their re-election. The ballot is a powerful tool, and we will use it to hold leaders accountable.”

ICA FCT concluded by reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights and aspirations of Igbo people in the FCT, Nigeria, and the diaspora, while calling for urgent action from relevant authorities.

“We await urgent action from the authorities,” the association said.