By Jonathan Ugbal
The Cross River State Government says it will soon commence the fixing of the Akreha bridge as well as extend the Okuku – Alifokpa road linking Yache with her neighboring communities in Yala Local Government Area as well as Konshisha in Benue State.
Constructed decades ago, the steel bridge has pans covering the steel base for users. CrossRiverWatch gathered that there have been at least four interventions on the bridge with the first started by the late Commissioner of Police, Mr. Daniel Anyogo and the most recent by the Commissioner for Education in Cross River, Dr. Stephen Odey. A new reinforced concrete bridge is being constructed by the side while the road remains dusty during the dry season and muddy during the rainy season.
And, the Commissioner for works in the State, Pius Ankpo while addressing the six communities in Yache during a reception ceremony for Dr. Odey at the St Francis Primary School, Alifokpa last weekend, says the bridge has been awarded several times in the past by both the State and Federal Government.
“When I became Commissioner of Works, my first assignment was in Akreha bridge. I came in to inspect what was done by the past administration,” Ankpo said, adding that; “I can assure you that we have gone back to the drawing board. The reason why we have not come back here is because engineering work has a lot of things to do. We are going back to the drawing board to bring the new bridge to you.”
The State is interfacing with the federal government, Ankpo says, adding that; “We will not wait because all the federal roads we have waited for the federal government seems not to be done and so the Governor has asked me just last week to go back and visit Akreha bridge and I can assure you that in a few weeks’ time, that bridge will be presented in the State Executive Council.”
On the road project, the Commissioner, who disclosed that he carried out an inspection tour days earlier, expressed shock that the Akreha – Yache segment of the Okuku – Alifokpa – Benue Road was not included and pointed out that he will raise a memo to construct the road in phases.
“I have calculated, and the road is lengthy, I assure you from the depth of my heart, for the contributions that Yache gave us during the last election, we are going to include this road in the next memo that will be presented. We may not carry it so much, because our budget is sizeable, and so we may take this road in phases, maybe two, three kilometers after which we will continue with another,” he said.
Earlier, the National President of the Yache Community Development Association, Mr Fidelis Agribe had in his welcome address sought the intervention of the State on the projects as well security challenges faced by the community.
“Permit me to use this occasion to invite your kind attention to the following lingering problems being experienced in Yache land; the Okuku-Alifokpa-Benue Road and the Okpokwu bridge at Akreha; that the Commissioner for works is in our midst today is a pleasant relief for us that the above-named road and bridge will be given urgent attention,” Mr. Agribe said.
He expressed optimism that by the time the Governor, Senator Bassey Otu visits Yache, he will “ride on complete asphalted roads, at least from Okuku to Alifokpa and hopefully to Benue State.”
