House Directs Investigation into State of Roads

Gloria Essien, Abuja

The House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on Works to investigate the current state of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road roads.

It also called for an investigation into the reasons for the delay in completing the Calabar-IItu-IIkot Ekpene Road rehabilitation.

The House also mandated the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

This mandate followed the adoption of a motion on the “Deplorable State of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road,” sponsored by:

Hon. Ime B. Okon Hon. Idem Unyime Josiah

Hon. Ukpong-Udo Emmanuel Effiong Hon. Esset Mark Udo

Hon. Odudoh Uduak Alphonsus Hon. Etteh Okpolump Ikpong

Hon. Ekpo Paul Asuquo Hon. Patrick Umoh

Hon. Esin Martin Etim and Hon. Clement Jimbo.

The House noted that the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road is a crucial transportation route connecting Cross River, Akwa Ibom States, and the eastern part of Nigeria, facilitating economic activities, social interactions, and regional development;

“Also note that the poor condition of the road has caused untold hardship for commuters, increasing travel time from one hour to five hours or more and loss of man-hours.

Worried that the contract for the rehabilitation and dualization of the Calabar-IItu – Ikot Ekpene Road was awarded in 2021 to three companies, yet the project has been abandoned, exacerbating the suffering of the citizens and hindering regional development.

Concerned over the adverse impact of the dilapidated road on the economic and social lives of the people in the region, which is not limited to increased transportation costs, and impediments to the movement of goods and services.

Cognizant that the abandonment of crucial infrastructure projects not only undermines the welfare and prosperity of the people but also reflects the government’s inability to meet their citizens’ needs,“ the motion said.

While leading the debate on the motion, Hon. Ime Okon, said that the road was crucial to the economic development of Akwa Ibom, Cross River and the south-eastern part of Nigeria.

He said that the lawmakers have been in talks with the Federal Ministry of Works to see how that road can be completed.

“We have been trying to see how work can resume in some aspects of the road. Only a small portion of the road has been constructed. The greater portion has been abandoned,“ Hon. Okon said.

He stressed that, with passion, the road could still be fixed.

The motion was referred to the Committee of Works and Legislative compliance