By Affiong Oyak
Residents of Iko Ekperem community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State have expressed deep frustration over the continued poor condition of their main access road, despite repeated campaign promises by politicians and their representatives.
Residents who spoke with CrossRiverWatch said the road project was first started around 2017/2018 but was later abandoned, leaving the community to suffer for years.
For years, the road leading into Iko Ekperem has remained in a terrible state, filled with deep potholes, thick mud and large waterlogged sections, especially during the rainy season.
The bad condition makes movement extremely difficult for farmers, traders, students and the sick. Motorcycles and vehicles frequently get stuck or break down, while people are forced to walk long distances through difficult terrain.
Following several untold suffering and complaints from the community, construction work finally began again on a section of the road. Photographs from the site show a paving machine and workers asphalting one side of the road while the other side remains unfinished.
However, residents say the work stopped far short of the full stretch and has not progressed beyond the halfway mark. Other portions of the road remain deeply muddy and almost impassable.
The village head of Iko Ekperem, Ophot Ewot Ejonga Ibuni said the poor state of the road has brought great hardship to the people.
His work: “Our people suffer every day because of this road. Farmers cannot take their crops to the market on time. Many of our goods spoil before they reach the buyers. Sick people find it difficult to reach the hospital, and we have lost some of our people on this same road because of accidents caused by the bad condition,” he stated.
The youth leader of the community, Mr. Ikum Simon Peter also spoke on the impact said: “Many of our youths who ride motorcycles for business find it hard to move. Their machines get damaged often and they spend more money on repairs than what they earn. Some of our friends have had serious accidents on this road. It has really slowed down our work and progress,” he said.
Community members shared similar experiences. A trader explained that the high cost of transporting goods has reduced her profit.
A parent whose children attend school outside the community said the children often arrive late or miss school completely when the road becomes impassable after heavy rain.
Farmers also joined the lamentation saying a large part of their harvests are lost because they cannot move their produce quickly to the market, which has reduced their income and made it difficult to support their families.
Residents recalled that during election periods, politicians including former Senator Geshom Bassey and former Hon. Danel Asuquoi promised to construct the road but failed to deliver after the elections.
Some community members stated that on occasions when funds were sent in connection with the road, the money was not used for the intended purpose.
The neglected residents, however, are calling on Governor Bassey Otu, Akamkpa representatives and relevant authorities to complete the ongoing work and fully rehabilitate the entire road for ease of movement of goods and services.
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