Lawmaker laments deplorable state of Akamkpa-Ikom highway
The pathetic condition of the only road linking the Southern and Central Senatorial District to the Northern part of the state has caught the attention of the member Representing Akamkpa I State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly Hon. Okon Owuna.
Owuna while fielding questions from newsmen over the weekend called out the construction firm handling rehabilitation of the Calabar-Ikom Highway, Sematech Nigeria Ltd over their ineptitude in execution of the project which has subjected motorists plying the road to unfold hardship particularly in this rainy season.
He lamented the stress faced in driving through the Akamkpa axis of the road which links to the Central and Northern part of the state as affecting the seamless evacuation of agro-produce to and from the hinterland to markets in the urban areas, hence called on the state government to liase with the relevant federal government agencies to address the abnormally thereby alleviating the pains encountered by motorists and residents of the host communities.
Recall Iwuru youths in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the State had earlier blocked the Calabar-Ikom highway protesting the alleged killing of their son in an incident caused by the deplorable state of the road. They blocked the road for several hours and destroyed vehicles sighted.
In addition, the deplorable condition of Akamkpa axis of the road has aided kidnapping of multiple persons along the Okim-Ita bad spot area of the road in recent times. This security lapse has heightened the call to repair the by-pass from Akamkpa to Calabar-Itu highway through Mbarakom which is also in a very bad condition hindering free flow of traffic from Awi end of the road.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
