- Govt: We’ll fix them during dry season
There has been an outcry by members of the public over the growing number of potholes in most parts of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. But the state government says it will give attention to the roads during the next dry season.
TNN observed that the potholes have dented the image of the state. This is even as the state government is paying so much attention to the painting of medians in the state colours of white and orange, while the roads have become a death trap.
It is also coming at a time that the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno is facing criticisms for the plans to empower non indigenes in the state with a whooping N800 million.
From Oron Road to Nwangiba, from Aka Road to Ikot Ekpene Road and even to the Barracks Road that leads to the seat of power, there are embarrassing number of potholes that TNN noticed in the state capital.
On the way to the Ibom 5-Star Hotel, motorists who do not pay attention to the state of the road, or who are not familiar with the situation, are very likely to be involved in accidents that may be fatal.
The situation calls to question, the quality of roads constructed in the state capital over the years. It also questions that priority of the state governor, especially roads that he plies on daily basis.
Even around the high-brow Ewet Housing, where prominent people like the governor have houses, the potholes are also very pronounced. It is the same around the Atiku Road, Abak Road. It is even worse in the streets that are not so popular.
Natives and residents have had to complain loudly to the government. But the state commissioner for information, Aniekan Umanah told TNN on Tuesday that the government had plans to fix the potholes when the rains stop.
He said the state ministry of works already mapped out all the areas that need attention and that once the dry season sets in, the roads would be fixed.
