Hon Bette Philip Obi.
By Itam Offor
Concerned by the worsening condition of the Ikom–Obudu road, the lawmaker representing Boki 1 State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Bette Philip Obi has urged the State Government to immediately carry out emergency palliative maintenance on the highway.
Obi who stated this while presenting a motion on the floor of the Assembly lamented the condition of the federal Highway which serves as a critical transportation corridor connecting several communities in the Central and Northern parts of the State.
According to the Lawmaker, “The deplorable state of the road has led to growing frustration among residents and road users, resulting in protest by some host communities who have threatened to block the road and prevent vehicles from passing.”
He stressed that, although the road is a Federal Government road, the severity of its deterioration requires urgent intervention by the state government while pursuing the federal government for comprehensive rehabilitation to provide relief for its users.
In their unanimous support of the motion, the Lawmakers appealed to the State government to direct the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant agencies to urgently carry out emergency palliative on the most deteriorated portions the road while engaging the Federal Government for its full rehabilitation.
The Lawmakers noted that the palliative maintenance of the road will greatly benefit the residents, motorists and businesses that depend on the route.
In his summary of the debate, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem noted the overwhelming support of the motion by the Members. He expressed confidence that,the State Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, will address the situation.
