Edith CHUKU
Towns and villages in the Cross River Southern Senatorial District are now glowing and experiencing active night life, following the illumination of over 156 communities with 6,870 installed solar street lights, courtesy of the senator representing the area, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
In barely a year and 10 months, the solar streetlights project which is visible across the senatorial district, is said to have transformed night into great opportunities, enhanced security and extended business hours
This, perhaps, explains why the people of the senatorial district are happy with the senator, even as many refer to him as God sent to the state, while there are those who expressed the belief that Ekpenyong is the best senator ever, both in the state and Nigeria at large.
One of the villages, the people of Usung Esuk Odot Village Council in the Ekim/Uyi Clan, Odukpani Local Government Area of the state, have already written to the senator, pouring encomium on Ekpenyong for the solar light project.
In the letter dated April 28, 2025, they commended him for his kind gesture and described the solar lights installed in their community as a monumental effort.
It reads in part: “On behalf of the entire community, we write to appreciate you the Senator representing Cross River State Southern Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jnr) on your kind gesture in conjunction with the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, by providing the community with 20 solar street light energy.
“Sir, we have seen you as a true son of the soil and a good representation with passion to develop your people as well as communities as you will continue to aspire politically by the special grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The community prayed that “for you doing this for us, God in heaven will continually expand your territory as you also will continue to remember the less privilege and under developed communities in your project both financially, socially, emotionally, spiritually and otherwise.
“With this, we the entire Usung Esuk-Odot Community are glad and pray God Almighty to bless you abundantly, protect, guide and grant your desire and lift you to high places as you remember Usung Esuk Community in your project in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.”
Also, the All Progressives Congress, APC, polling unit chairman 015 in ward 10, Mr. Ubon Ekanem, praised Ekpenyong for the overwhelming excitement the solar street light he installed had brought to the people Anating street in his community.
Conveying his community’s appreciation to the senator, Ekanem said “I am glad and proud of you, Anating street lights came on stream last night and the magnitude of jubilation in the community was something you needed to be around to see.
“The kids trooped out dancing and singing, the elderly women were all over me singing praises. You know I am the APC polling unit chairman 015 of ward 10 and the polling unit is located at Target by Anating, that’s how I was at the center of the praises showered on you.”
The APC stakeholder assured that he would keep Ekpenyong “updated on happenings around us, but distinguished, as I convey the community joy and appreciation, they also mandated me to remind you that Anating remains the only street yet to be tarred in the whole of ward 10.” They said he should consider their road as he has done for other wards.
Furthermore, a constituent from Biase Local Government Area, Akpet Abini ward, Pastor Murdock Evong commended Ekpenyong for carrying out people oriented projects in the senatorial district.
Evong noted that the senator’s leadership quality was second to none, saying “I love your ways of operations, even in your exalted position as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you still display the highest level of humility I have never seen in our recent time politicians occupying positions, even as councillors.
“The numerous things you have done for us are very unique, I have never seen them happen before in this our constituency; solar lights in many of our communities. This is not to flatter you but to say the truth the way it is; you are the best.”
The clergyman prayed God to continue to “increase you and keep you for us and even take you to the highest height of presidency, because if people like you are given the opportunity, you will sure turn this country around for God.”
Ekpenyong’s project of brightening every corner has turned night into day and is drastically reducing criminality in communities in the Calabar Municipal and Calabar South.
Following his determination to better the living standard of his people and contribute immensely to ensure the safety of lives and property of the people of Cross River, Ekpenyong who is a former state Commissioner for Finance, has been nicknamed “a true talk and do leader”.
He has also been described as a senator who brings light to every corner following his unmatched impacts in about 22 months in office as a first-time and youngest senator.
Ekpenyong has redefined representation with a stunning array of achievements that has transformed the Southern Senatorial District.
His bold vision and tireless action have delivered unparalleled progress in infrastructure, legislature and community empowerment.
Some of the areas the senator has transformed into a beacon of safety with the streetlight projects are, from Akim Akim street, Victor Akan street and Eyo Ita street in Calabar Municipal to Parliamentary extension, Big Qua Road and Calcemco road in Calabar Municipal, and extending to Odukpani Central Community, Ekonganaku community.
Others are Crosspill Estate (Akpabuyo), Oban, Mfamosing, Nyaje, Ekang, Ikoneto, Yellow Duke street, Mount Zion street and several others.
These lights brighten bustling urban centers and remote villages alike. The 156 communities where the solar lights have been installed now glow at night which is inline with Ekpenyong’s vision to ensure no community is left in the dark in order to foster vibrant, safe neighbourhoods where families and businesses strive
