By our reporter
Road users, motorists, business owners and transporters in Cross River state have express hope over the rehabilitation repair works going on at some sections of federal roads in the state.
According to the Federal Controller of works, Cross River state, Engineer Koya Kehinde, the rehabilitation repair works covered some areas of federal roads in the state, including the, “Calabar-Ikom, Ogoja-Gakem Road, and Ediba junction, Itigidi-Abomege road.”
From what is obtainable on ground, Nigerian Tribune reports that the road from Odukpani to Biase is still very deplorable, while palliative works has began already. However, from Biase to Ikom is completely rehabilitated and motorable.
The controller further explained that, ” though the road has already been awarded, the essence of the exercise is for some limited rehabilitation repair works on this particular road; as part of our yearly Ember-Months repair works in the Ministry, to enable commuters use the road effectively, during the Yuletide period.”
In separate interviews with Nigerian Tribune, across the state at different sections of the road, residents, road users and motorists expressed hope, relief, and happiness on the level of repairs going on, on the road.
A Commercial Driver, Mr Innocent Tony, has these to say: “I am from Abi, we have suffered so much in Cross River state about accessible road. But with the intervention of the Federal Government we feel happy because, from now, it can take you less than two hours to reach Ikom.
“We are equally praying that they should make efforts for the remedial road rehabilitation should terminate at the Odukpani junction so that Crossriverians can have good access road like other states.”
Also, a road side Trader, Mrs Veronica Bassey, said she suffered dust, certain air pollution hazards during the construction period, but that now, everything has returned to normal; “I feel happy, the rad is okay, it is bringing in plenty customers along this area.
“During the repairs, we folded up, business wasn’t moving, the dust was too much and affected us and the traffic flow negatively,” she explained.”
According to Mr Thankgod Okoi, “I always use this road, I can see that the road is well tared. what is left is electricity, but for the road, the road is okay. The other side from Biase to Odukpani is still not done, but from Biase to Ikom is they have tried their best up to Okuni. The road is express for now. No more much accidents for now, and the fares has reduced.”
Although the work isn’t complete yet, there are hopes that the road will receive a facelift before the rains set in later in the year. The work according to the Ministry will cover, “Calabar-Ikom Ogoja road, 3 kilometers palliative, while the Ediba-Abomege road has 2.2kilometres.”
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