By Rosemary Nkereuwem and Abuh Racheal
Citizens at Uwanse has lamented the hardship and damages caused by the growing potholes at Ekpo Eyo, Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The expanding potholes, residents say have impacted negatively on the lives of the people, emphasising that lack of good drainage system made it worse.
Speaking with CrossRiverWatch, the Youth Chairman of Uwanse community, Mr. Eyo Ekpe said he has been working assiduously to ensure potholes in the area are filled, but oftentimes their effort is washed away by the rain.
“I have been making tireless efforts to fill the potholes during sanitation in the community but after a short period of time, when there is heavy rainfall the stones and sand filled into the potholes are washed away by erosion.”
A driver, Mr. Bassey, on his part said the potholes and lack of drainage in the area has made mechanic workshops a permanent harbour for their vehicles. According to him, “It has affected us so much because the vehicle we are driving has shocks; you enter the potholes it affect your shocks, and it damages your vehicle within a short period.
“Also, it affect pedestrians because, where they are suppose to walk sometimes the vehicle will not want to pass through there to avoid the potholes, so there’s so much effects on the road users.
“I have been driving this road for six months now and this potholes have been here and they is no remedy for now, we have not seen any improvement that the Government is willing to do anything about it.”
A tricycle rider identified as Jeremiah, who plies the route says the road has affected both vehicles and humans. His words, “At times, we try to dodge the potholes so that our keke (tricycle) will not get damaged, it affects passengers especially pregnant women. The potholes are up to four years now and nothing is done.”