Efio-Ita Nyok|9 September 2016
The deplorable condition of infrastructure across the country especially Cross River State is alarming. The Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja federal high way is one of such roads infrastructure begging for attention so much so that Chief Okoi Obono-Obla and Barr. Utum Eteng have scribbled a letter to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing to wade into the matter. Below is the letter:
*The Hon. Minister of Works & Housing
Federal Ministry of Works & Housing
Abuja.
Our Hon. Minister,
AN SOS: DEATH-TRAP ON THE CALABAR – IKOM – OGOJA FEDERAL HIGHWAY, AN URGENT CALL FOR INTERVENTION.
Yakurr people proverb has it that “The noise in the market place can only be stopped when the market master rings his bell”. On behalf of ourselves, concerned Cross Riverians and public users of the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Federal High Way, we make this humble and passionate appeal to you the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing in your capacity as the direct representative of our dear President, Mohammed Buhari, GCFR to hearken to this plea on behalf of our people for action to salvage the plight of daily users of the above stated federal road.
For avoidance of doubt, we are:
(1) Chief (Barr) Okoi Obono-Obla, Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution, Member of National Prosecution Coordinating Committee (NPCC), Non-Executive Commissioner Nominee to Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) representing South- South.
(2) Chief (Barr) Utum Eteng, a Senior Private Legal Practitioner, a Human Rights Activist, An Anti-Corruption Crusader and Public Affairs Analyst.
We hereby make this SOS representation to you for a possible quick use of your good offices to intervene on the hardship and plight of the people in Cross River State using the said Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Federal Highway now faced with the problem of adverse stagnation at some points of the road. We urge you to direct the Road Maintenance Agency under your Ministry or procure a reputable Local Road Maintenance/Construction Company to undertake the immediate repairs of the said death-trap portions of the road. It is pertinent to inform you that as at today the state capital, Calabar is about to be completely cut off from the rest of the Local Governments and other adjourning States like EBONY, ENUGU, BENUE including the journey to the neighbouring Republic of Cameroun.
The following portions have become impassable requiring urgent attention.
(i) Pamol to Odukpani Junction (ii) Ikot Okpora, Big Iwuru, Ehom-Iwuru (iii) Akpet–Adim–Ugep, (iv) Ekori Mkpani, Nko axis (v) Apiapum–Alesi–Ikom axis (vi) Ikom–Mkpot Junction, Ogoja–Yala–Bekwara–Obudu axis.
It will interest you to note that today a journey of 1 hour from Calabar takes one about 5 hours and that of 5 hours to Ogoja takes 10 hours. More than 100 long vehicles are stagnated at each spot for hours and days especially at Adim Town spot in Biase Local Government Area where vehicles have remained stranded for days without moving in or out of Calabar and Akwa Ibom State.
We are glad to note that the Federal Government has awarded contract for the complete reconstruction of the entire said highway and that construction work will commence after the rains.
We commend this Federal Government people oriented gesture and do also applaud your humble self for the initiative and feat about to be recorded. Whilst we wait for the take-off of the full construction work on the road, we pray that remedial measures be taken to alleviate the sufferings of our people.
PRAYER:
We are praying for your prompt possible emergency intervention in this circumstance and do also strongly recommend that a locally based road construction/maintenance company with visible road construction equipment and experience be contacted to undertake the rehabilitation process.
We are minded to make this appeal to you believing that the treatment and attention the NDDC gave to the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway end linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom States would also be given to this portion of the Federal Highway.
The Calabar-Ikom-Ogaja Federal Highway now at the verge of being washed away is the gate way to Cross River State from EBONYI, ANAMBRA, ENUGU and BENUE STATES. It is sad that by reason of the hardship on the road, the abundant agricultural products produced in Cross River and Benue States are abandoned days on the road to rot away with great loss to our local business men and women.
SIR, A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE.
CHIEF (BARR) OKOI OBONO-OBLA