Group Lampoons FG Over Deplorable Calabar-Itu Federal Highway, Calls For Speedy Completion Of Project

A group of imminent leaders on the auspices of Cross River Southern Consultative Forum has lampooned the Federal Government for sleeping on bicycle while her citizens suffers unquantifiable loss of economy, lives and property due to deplorable state of the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway. Speaking in a press conference at the NUJ Secretariat Calabar, the Forum called on the Federal Government to as a matter of priority assuage the sufferings  of motorists who  depend on the road for livelihood by completing the project with specified timeframe.

The forum noted that despite economic viability accrued to the road including consistent efforts by both Cross River and Akwa-Ibom states respectively in paying compensations for ease of construction, coupled with periodic assurances from Engr. Dave Umahi, Minister for Works, the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway remained a nightmare for motorists and commuters, contradicting Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration. On behalf of the Forum, Sir, Maurice Effiwatt expressed thus

“The sufferings inflicted on the people of Cross River and Akwa-Ibom States due to the state of this road cannot be overemphasized. Businesses are collapsing, farmers unable to transport their produce and essential services are been disrupted. Economic consequences are severed with rising cost of goods and services as a direct result of this transportation nightmare. The human cost is even more devastating. Pregnant women, the sick and accident victims endure horrific experiences while attempting to access medication using the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway. The security risk posed by the road terrible nature have also escalated as criminal takes advantage of the stranded motorists to perpetrate robbery and kidnappings.

“What happened to the tripartite committee canvassed by the federal government between leaders of Southern Consultative Forum, Ministry of Works and contractors handling the project? This assurance was warmly received as a step towards actualizing the project. However, months after the promise, nothing has been done. The Minister failed to honour his commitment, raising serious questions about the sincerity of the federal government in resolving this issue. This pattern of empty promises must come to an end.

“One of the biggest obstacle on that road was the issue of compensation. Between October and November 2024, Cross River State Government took upon itself to clear remainder of compensations on that road. Even when Julius Berger could not obtain permit from Federal Inland Waterway, Cross River State Government took it upon herself to obtain the permit just to accelerate work.

“Is it that the federal government is not fulfilling her obligations to the contracting companies or is it because we are Cross River State on the back waters of Nigeria, that we are treated with disdain? Again, we are drawing attention of the federal government to the plights of our people on that road, which is affecting businesses, economy of the state, security and the largest street party in Africa. Tourists can no longer access Carnival Calabar using the Calabar-Itu road. We have continued on this advocacy calling on the federal government to prioritize the completion of Calabar-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene Highway.

“The Cross River South Consultative Forum is compelled to ones more draw attention to the sorry state of Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene Federal Highway which has remained a source of untold hardship to the people of Cross River and Akwa-Ibom States respectively. Despite numerous promises, and assurances from the federal government, particularly the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, this critical road remains in a deplorable state posing great dangers to motorists, commuters and businesses. This road which is a major gateway leading Cross River and Akwa-Ibom to the rest of the country have become a death trap. The road is riddled with deep potholes, eroded sections and collapsed portion that makes movement a nightmare.

“Commuters are forced to spend hours on a journey that should ordinarily take minutes, while transporters struggles with frequent vehicles breakdown, increased operational cost and loss of revenue. Accidents, injuries and deaths have become a common occurrence on this road. Yet, the federal government and contractors handling the project continue to show a lack of urgency in addressing the crisis.

 “The contractors handling various sections of the road must take responsibility for their roles in the current state of affairs on the road. Contractors that have abandoned site for more than a year now must be recalled immediately or their contracts terminated forthwith. Above all, the road must be done to specification to ensure, quality, durability and accountability” he stated.

Their additional demands includes, Urgent and full scale rehabilitation of the road, Federal government to prioritize and take immediate steps to completing the road, the Honourable Minister to respect his promise of establishing a tripartite committee to monitor progress on the road. Others are, Contractors handling the road to be transparent and accountable in their dealings, a clear and transparent timeline for the road completion is required and call for revocation of contract with erring companies and re-awarding same to companies willing to deliver. The Forum concluded by extending gratitude to the governor of Cross River state, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu for paying off all outstanding compensations and securing permit from National Inland Waterways to enable for the construction of some outstanding bridges.

This cry from Southern Consultative Forum highlight gross infrastructural deficits permeating almost every sector in Nigeria, underscoring need for demonstration of governmental will-power to addressing challenges of the populace.