A group known as the Cross River Consultative Forum has expressed displeasure over the constant neglect of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Highway, which for more than a decade has posed a threat to both motorists and commuters due to its deteriorating state.
Expressing their feelings while addressing journalists in the state, the Chairman of the group, Hon. Eyo Ekpo, lamented the pattern of empty promises by the Federal Government, especially by the Minister of Works, Eng. David Umahi.
The Chairman also used the forum to remind newsmen of the Minister’s promise during his 2024 visit to the state for the town hall meeting, to flag off the Calabar end of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, which he promised to ensure work resumes on the road and even threatened to cancel the contract and take it back from the contractors if they didn’t resume work immediately.
But in all these, the Chairman continued, the road is still in a very bad state with deep potholes, eroded sections, and some collapsed portions, which is frustrating movement, slowing down businesses, and risking the lives of commuters.
The state of the road, which is a major link between Cross River and Akwa Ibom, leading to other parts of the country, has brought untold hardship to the people of both states, Hon. Ekpo explained, and urged the Federal Government to either terminate the contract with the current contractors or embark on urgent completion of the road to ease the suffering of the road users.
The group also advised the Minister of Works to set up a tripartite committee, using the leaders of the group, staff of the States’ Ministry of Works, and Sermatech for tracking the progress of work on the project and reporting the same to the Minister directly.
