By Godwin Ajom
The Cross River South Consultative Forum has called out Nigeria’s Works Minister, Engineer David Umahi, over the poor state of the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, which has brought untold hardship to the people of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The Forum headed by its Chairman, Honorable Eyo Ekpo, berated the minister for failing “to honor his commitment, raising serious questions about the sincerity of the federal government in resolving this issue.”
They said “pattern of empty promises must end” and “imagine our utter consternation when, during his 2024 visit to Calabar for the town hall meeting to flag off the Calabar end of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Engr. Umahi brazenly accused the Forum of being sponsored to damage the reputation of Sermatech. This is a truly baffling accusation. How can one damage what never existed?”
Addressing Journalists at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Center, Calabar, the forum recalled that, “Despite numerous promises and assurances from the federal government, particularly the Minister of Works, this critical road remains in a deplorable state, posing grave dangers to motorists, commuters, and businesses.”
The Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway, a major gateway linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom states to other parts of the country, has deteriorated over the years. The federal highway is notorious for its deep potholes, eroded sections, and collapsed portions that make movement difficult, slow and risky.
The forum reminded the minister of his earlier promise and enjoins him to set up a tripartite committee comprising leaders of the Forum, staff of the Ministry of Works, and Sermatech, to track the progress of the project and report directly to him.
They sought the federal government to either revoke or terminate the projects or urgent continuation and completion of the road to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.