METU YOUTHS UNITE TO RESTORE FEEDER ROAD AMID RISING INSECURITY

A group of youths volunteer in slashing the bushy road link in Metu Sub-county.
By Anyidi Emmanuel
Moyo

In a bid to enhance safety and improve accessibility, dozens of youth volunteers in Metu Sub-county, Moyo District, have joined hands to maintain a six-kilometre feeder road linking Metu Trading Centre and Goopi. The initiative follows a surge in insecurity and road accidents in the area over recent weeks.

Mr. Lemi Francis, a youth mobilizer, said the group took action after realizing that the feeder road had gone for a long time without maintenance, endangering the lives of road users. “The grass had almost covered the entire road, and accidents were happening frequently, especially at sharp corners. I personally engaged the youth so we could protect our community, particularly the vulnerable groups,” Lemi explained.

Nyadru Jerome Asusi, the Youth Chairperson of Metu Sub-county, said the bushy condition of the road had made it difficult for residents to access essential services using motorcycles and bicycles. “We are also planning to fill potholes in dangerous spots to make movement safer, especially for learners going to school,” Jerome said.

Chandia Christine, a resident of Kuleni Village, expressed gratitude to the young men for their selfless act, saying the overgrown road had become a security threat for women. “Sometimes we pass through this road at night, and it was scary because the bush was too thick. I used to fear returning home from the market,” Christine shared.

Cherego Alfred Draciri, a teacher at Goopi Primary School, praised the youth for taking the initiative to improve a key community access road. “This road connects people to important social services such as schools, health centres, and churches. I’m very happy with the youth’s effort and encourage the sub-county authorities to embrace and support this kind of volunteerism as they lobby for resources to maintain community roads,” Draciri said.

Andu Richard Opeli, the Secretary for Works in Moyo District, clarified that the work of road gangs has been temporarily suspended by the Ministry of Works, with maintenance now falling under the district engineering department.

“We should take ownership of these roads. Even though the government doesn’t officially encourage voluntary work, what the youth are doing is commendable on humanitarian grounds to make roads passable. I also pray that the Ministry reinstates the road gangs to continue maintaining our feeder roads,” Opeli stated.

The youth-led effort has inspired renewed hope among residents, showing the power of community action in solving local challenges.