by crossriverwatch admin
The new median being constructed by the Cross River State government to beautify the popular Muritala Muhammed Highway, Calabar has been greeted with mix feelings.
CrossRiverWatch findings from people revealed that the quality of the concrete used for the project was far below standard compared to the old one that was removed.
Mr. Effanga Etim, a Calabar resident described the project as a charade whose only aim is to erase some of the Donald Duke legacies as part of his keep Calabar green project.
Effanga cited Eleven-Eleven and Mary Slessor roundabouts as examples of trying to remove Duke’s giant strides in Calabar by the Imoke administration.
“That highway demarcation is a shame to the government in particular and the people of Cross River State in general.
“The quality was far below average standard, even you, if you were here before they removed the old one, you should be able to tell whether the one there before this was far better in terms of quality, protection of the street lights, beatification of the environment or not”.
“Those advising the governor are not doing good to him, take the green grass they plant for example, people are crossing and matching on it which defeat the aim and instead of government to open up the surface of the old solid concrete and plant their trees, they removed the quality and replace with fake” said Timothy Essein.
“You know this one look modern and beautiful. Calabar is known for its green green, so I believe the governor who approved the project did it in line with that dream”, said another respondent.
Eyo Etim, an environmentalist and Calabar resident said the project was in good faith in line with the Calabar development plan on Clean and Green.
“You know people will always talk on everything government does, even when Donald was doing his own, people still criticized him. I remember when he wanted to dualize Ndidem Usang Isong/Marian Road, people who criticized and petitioned him are the same people enjoying the road today, so people will always talk”
But the State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Legor Idagbo told CrossRiverWatch that the motivation behind the project was to do something that looked more modern and will allow for the planting of grasses.
He said, “The Work is not done by my ministry. It is handled by the State Road Maintenance Agency. But I have an idea of the motivation behind the project. The previous kerbs that were on the road were only set between the street lights. Other spaces were left with demarcation that was too low and vehicles could turn on the road indiscriminately and were causing accidents regularly.
“The thinking behind the new project was to change that to kerbs that were a little higher than what was there as well as change the big ones that stood in between the street lights to the modern ones that will allow for the planting of trees and flowers. Yes, precast kerbs like the ones that were used there before are stronger but people don’t do precast kerbs again.
“I am not holding brief for road maintenance agency but all over the world, what they use now is automatic kerbs layer machines for mass production. We don’t need the kerbs to be as strong as rock because it is only when motorist hit them that they break. If not I don’t think there is anything wrong with those ones.” He said.
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