The delay in completing the reconstruction of the Calabar-Itu Road by the various contractors has become a source of concern for National Assembly members. They want the project to be handled as an emergency issue.
The House of Representative and Senate joint committee on works visited the road to see the extent of work during the weekend and was shocked that it has remained a death trap.
Senator Rufai Sani Hanga, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee told journalists after the inspection what they saw was disappointing and unacceptable. Their visit followed a motion by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District.
Hanga said “we were in the bus and we were lamenting. How we got here, I don’t know. I know that a few years ago, this project was awarded, but all of a sudden, we have the issue of moving from asphalt to concrete, which practically derailed the entire work here.
“Even the part they say have been done, is not good. How do you get into Cross River from other parts of the country? We are cut off. Christmas is coming, an emergency needs to be on declared on this road.”
Ekpenyong who recalled how he brought up the matter on the floor of the senate about a year ago, also recalled how a woman was forced to give birth prematurely inside her car because of the deplorable nature of the road.
He said: “This oversight was initiated almost a year ago by the motion I raised on the floor of the senate and that was instigated by the fact that this road has remained in this state of disrepair for e=several years.
“At some point last year in the course of the repairs, there was a traffic build-up and a lady who was about three months pregnant, her water broke and she delivered her baby in the car.
“I brought this to the floor of the senate. We went to work, summoned the ministry, summoned the contractors. We put as much fire under their belly and we are here now; we have not seen significant progress.
“This has been an eye opener for my colleagues.” Ekpenyong said it was worrisome that the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River and other Nigerian citizens have had to go through a gruesome experience while using the road.
The senator lamented that those who opted for the water routes as a result of the nature of the road were kidnapped. He asked: “So, what is the alternative? People should stay at home? No commerce, no businesses, no social life?”
He said trucks conveying construction materials, food stuff, petroleum products through the road have had to trapped on the road. “We have seen trucks conveying solid minerals, chippings, flours, petroleum products. All the construction materials are moved from Akamkpa, which is next to Odukpani. I am the senator from this district. I am ashamed, we need help from the NASS as a collective.”
