By Jonathan Ugbal
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has recommenced the asphalting of major roads in Calabar, the state capital.
The roads include IBB way, Marian road and Ndidem Usang-Iso road.
Work had commenced in December 2017 ahead of an expected car race, ‘Formula K’ which the Governor said he was going to race at over 200 kilometers per hour.
But, work halted with no information given concerning the postponement of the race while Government House Sources say the ‘Go-karts’ to be used for the race had arrived and were been assembled by a German racing team which also comprised of engineers from DNS holdings that installed solar powered street lights around the rice city project.
However, residents who spoke to CrossRiverWatch TV shared mixed feelings about the re-asphalting.
It will be recalled that Mr. Ayade had told the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Corps Commander Chidiebere Nkwonta that he will give Calabar residents a new asphalt during the yuletide.
In that visit, Mr. Ayade said that the state will soon commence the total rehabilitation of roads across the state and charged the corps to ensure that a near zero crash record was achieved between then and December 31, 2018.
He had said that: “I want to challenge you, I don’t want to lose any Cross Riverians or any road user for that matter. While you have made your request (to repair roads), I will grant them to the extent that my good conscience permits that I also want to set a new target for you.
“Between now and Christmas, I don’t want to have more than 2 crashes in Cross River State and no life lost. No shed of blood occasioned by the massive rush for Christmas as this will be a great value you will be bringing because for the first time we are going to be having a Christmas where no family is in tears or sorrows.”
In a related development, Mr. Ayade’s aide on social media, Mr. Emmanuel Ulayi had shared a bulk short messaging service operated by him with the message which read: “Massive rural roads rehabilitation ongoing across 18 LGA’s in Cross River – Ayade.”
However, findings by CrossRiverWatch reveals that excluding the Boki East – West road, the Mfum – Okuku – Obudu ranch road and a few others, there were no other rural road projects ongoing especially in the southern senatorial district.