By Patrick Obia
Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders including the Association of Cross River Online Journalists, ACROJ, Citizens Solution Network, CNS have cried out over the state of disrepair of the stretch of Calabar-Itu Federal highway.
They accused the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the Governments of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of deliberately over looking the deplorable state of the road describing it as scandalous.
The Chairman of ACROJ, Comrade Edem Darlington accused Sen. Gershom Bassey and Hon. Etta Mbora of deliberately paying deaf ears to the plight of the people and motorists concerning the much talked about Calabar-Itu road.
He wondered if the duo still had conscience and if they were still representing the people or themselves.
He wrote in a statement on his Facebook page that:
“Fellow Cross Riverians …. Learn your lessons. Say no to irresponsible poliliticians. Three thousand (3000) Naira per vote that you collected in 2019, this is where it has landed us now. 3 more years to go. Your MuMu don DO….
“Gershom Bassey, Hon. Etta Mbora, have you seen the state of Calabar-Itu Road or you have decided not to see?
“People can no longer travel again. Are you people really representatives of the people or of yourselves? Do you still have conscience at all?” He queried.
On his part, the Country Director of Citizens’ Solution Network, Mr. Richard Friday Inoyo in a post on Facebook said, “the Federal Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, the Akwa Ibom State Government and Cross River State Government were all irresponsible, callous, insensitive and had no regard for the Nigerian people”.
Stressing that; it is a shame and disregard for millions of Nigerians who ply the route and end up wasting precious hours and economic losses.
Richard called on Cross Riverians, Akwa Ibomites as well as commuters and motorists who criss-cross the route to demand for infrastructural justice on the road.
Also, lending his voice on the deplorable state of roads in Cross River State, Nollywood Director/Producer, Mr. Fidelis Duker added his voice and condemned the bad roads now adorning parts of the capital of the State.
Duker, who is also a Film and Communication Expert, said it is a big shame that his Senator (Gershom Bassey) representing his constituency is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), yet his State roads and Federal roads in that area are nothing to write home about.
According to him, “…this is the terrible state of CALABAR/ITU Road ……. yet my Senator is Chairman Senate Committee on FERMA …..Its a shame ….. BIG SHAME.”
Similarly, motorists and commuters in Calabar plying Murtala Mohammed Highway by Lemna junction have decried the deplorable state of that portion of the road due to construction work which has been abandoned.
The road which poses serious danger of cutting up if unattended shortly, has being causing serious traffic jam on the only lane being used.
Road users are made to wait for long hours while others seek alternative routes.