By Godwin Ajom
Governor Bassey Otu has flagged off 17 kilometers Boki East-West Road, Phase-1 construction, in Cross River State.
After several broken promises and failed attempts to address the transportation difficulties across the Boki council area, hope seems to have arrived as the construction of Phase-1 of the East West Road has commenced.
The construction of the first 17 kilometers of the phase-road is linking the rural Boki and the Urban Boki axis beginning from Onitcha-Farm Roundabout and terminating at Kataba Junction along Ikom-Obudu road.
The road has been in a terrible state for many years with farmers and businesses deprived of the ease of doing business and easy access to farms.
At the flag off, Governor Bassey Otu represented by his deputy, Rt. Honorable Peter Odey, underscored the conspicuous relevance of the road and pledged the state government’s commitment to construct several roads across Boki Local Government.
“This work is not going to stop here. I will come back here, not for flag off, not for supervision, but to commission this road. We should have the construction of this road in record time and other roads that are going to be done here in Boki Local Government Area.
“Boki is a big local government, no doubt; it’s big. That is why they also give us big projects so that you have big work coming from the government of Cross River State. I assure you, that the administration of Senator Bassey Edet Otu, the Governor of Cross River State, if he says anything, he does it.
“During the campaign, he told us that this road would be done and today we are here to flag off the road; Let me not use the word “flag off,” but we are here to construct the road, and by the grace of God, this road will be constructed and will be completed even before this one is completed,”Otu assured.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Boki who turned out en mass to witness the commencement of work and flag off at the site, echoing the same sentiments and applauded the state for the project and acknowledged the viability of the road project if completed.
Council Chairman for Boki, Hon. Mrs. Eti-Eka Beatrice Nyiam said: “This road will transform lives. It will open up our agricultural communities, make it easier for farmers to move their products, boost local trade, create jobs for our youths, and attract new economic opportunities. Simply put, it will bring development closer to our people and prosperity closer to our homes.
She added that; “Beyond economic benefits, this road stands as a powerful symbol of unity. It connects our communities, strengthens our bonds, and reminds us that Boki is one big family with a future. When we stand together in peace and cooperation, no challenge will be beyond us.”
As to the linking of the entire Boki Nation by the Road, Honorable Hilary Bisong, representing Boki-2 State Constituency, while appreciating Governor Bassey Otu, disclosed that “This 17-kilometer road is almost a tune of 10 billion, which Governor Otu is committing to Boki people. So we want to use the occasion to thank the Governor profusely.
“Beyond the Boki road, there is an envelope crossing the Budget 2026 that contains networks of roads; Please, when the networks of roads want to start, please let it start in Boki and let Boki-2 too be considered.”