By Inyali Peter
The Cross River government has should partner the federal government to fix the federal roads in the state as they have become impassable says Odey Ochicha, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 general elections in a statement issued Friday, in Calabar.
Ochicha who lamented a situation where a state as huge as Cross River had no access route despite being the first capital of Nigeria with a “great policy on tourism” also, faulted the previous administrations for neglecting the state in infrastructural development and expressed confidence that the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government would be willing to partner with the state government to address the crumbled infrastructural development in the state.
“The three federal roads in the state, Calabar-Itu, Calabar-Ogoja and Calabar-Ikang are impassable. This is very sad and unfortunate. We can’t afford to have a one road city as it’s currently the case. A one narrow road leading to Calabar over the years is an apology and should not be so considering the significance of Calabar as the former federal capital of Nigeria and the state as a tourism destination.
“Calabar was the first capital city of Nigeria and so by now, it should be a modern city but all our infrastructure are crumbling and in very terrible state. It appears, we have a governor in Cross River State but with no governance in the state.
“The major roads in the state should at least be dualized after over 56 years of independence and the simple solution is to partner with the federal government to get these very important roads fixed in order to stimulate economic and commercial activities in the state” Ochicha said.
He posited that if the state government invested heavily on roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure, jobs will be created and there will be a positive impact on the economy.
According to him, “The crumbling infrastructure is impacting negatively on our economy. When our roads are modernized, it opens up the state for more economic activities unlike now when commuters have to pass through two states; Abia and Ebonyi to access Cross River State. Good roads will stimulate our economy therefore there should be increased investment on our roads development”.
On the issue of waste management in Calabar, the Bekwarra born politician said that, “Calabar was considered the cleanest city in Nigeria but now has become one of the dirtiest cities with refuse everywhere. The government needs to do more by employing more hands as well as consulting previous administrations on possible ways of returning Calabar to it cleanest status again”.