Prince Thomas Abi Jr|8 February 2016|10:32pm
My heart bleeds for Cross River State. My heart bleeds for my people. I condemn in strong terms the rehabilitation of the only Federal government road in the Cross River State rather than reconstructing a new road.
I will expect that government reconstructs the road rather than putting it up for rehabilitation. That road requires an overhaul reconstruction and not wasting funds on rehabilitating the road.
The Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road does not need any further repairs, what the road needs is reconstruction. How do you rehabilitate a road that is over 40 years?
It is rather unfortunate that the road has become a death trap for the peace loving citizens of Cross River State and all those who ply on that road.
The People of Cross River State need a new road. I will expect that the Federal government in her wisdom will reconstruct and dualize that road. It is common knowledge that repairing an old road is more expensive than reconstructing a new one.
The economic fortunes of the people of Cross River State is tied to that road. Today, Cross River is tagged a civil service State, how can the State be industrialized when the only road linking the State to other parts of the country is crying for help?
Today, the people of Cross River State travel through Ebonyi State just to get to another end of the State because the road is impassable and government is talking about rehabilitating the road rather than providing a brand new road for the Cross River People.
Let me remind the government of President Buhari, that he is for no body and that he is for everybody.
During the campaigns, Mr. President tongue lashed past administrations over the poor nature of roads in the State, and so it is only natural that after elections he will give us a new road.
I call on the President Buhari to speedily attend to the poor state of Federal roads in Cross River State by reconstructing the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road.
I do understand that the nation is experiencing hard times due to dwindling resources. But it is an issue that must be tackled if Cross River State must connect with other parts of the country.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst and Social Commentator
