UDouglas road is undoubtedly the most popular road in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. The road is in the centre of town and has over the years carved out a reputation for itself as not only the financial hub of the city but also the nerve centre of the Eastern Heartland (Imo State).
A few years back one could say with certainty that over half of the city dwellers in Imo State depend directly or indirectly on the thriving business environment/activity of Douglas road for their livelihood. Unfortunately, that is not the case in the present day Douglas which has been sinking over the years amidst rising cases of crime, criminality and brazen lawlessness in the area.
Currently, Douglas road and some adjoining streets are shadows of their former selves.The untimely demolition and consequent eviction of traders and relocation of major markets located along Douglas road, did not only cripple business activity but also striped Douglas road of it's financial hub status.
There are five clans that make up what we now know as Douglas road, namely; Amawom, Umuoyima, Umuororonjo, Umueche and Umuodu.They are the traditional owners of the land on which Douglas road is located. As landlords, (sons of the soil), certain members of these clans, sometimes in persons but often by proxies, make their presence felt in Douglas road and some adjoining streets. For most of them the phrase was always, "NEVER BETTER", and rightly so, these men and sometimes women, were hardly out of pocket.The markets and ancillary economic activities in Douglas was like a gift on a platter and these men and their women folk, made the most of the opportunities provided in just about every other business activity within Douglas road.
The story of Douglas road will be incomplete without reference to a certain English man once known as Mr.Douglas.The road Douglas was named after the said English man, by a people who felt obliged to make amends for the untimely death of a familiar stranger at their hands, in circumstances complicated by language barrier, amidst an altercation that eventually claimed the life of Mr Douglas. According to legend, Mr Douglas was lynched by natives who after killing him, hung his bicycle (Raleigh White Horse) at a strategic point now known as AMAJEKE, in Douglas road.
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