Hon Samuel Neji Abang, Ikom 1 State Constituency.
By Itam Offor
The Cross River State House of Assembly (CRHA) is tinkering with the idea of redesigning Ikom Urban in Ikom Local Government Area (LGA).
Worried about the indiscriminate construction of houses in buffer areas without recourse to the Master Plan, the Lawmaker representing Ikom 1 State Constituency, Hon Samuel Neji Abang has sponsored a motion calling on the State Government through the Ministries of Lands and Housing to redesign Ikom Urban to meet up with her commercial status as an economic hub.
Speaking during plenary, Abang reiterated that Ikom LGA has eleven political wards and an estimated population of about 250 000 people adding that it has a high influx of people from Cameroun as well as the neighbouring states resulting in high demand for land and housing.
The Lawmaker who is the Chairman, House Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, Special Projects and Religious Matters regretted that the indiscriminate construction of houses and business premises has greatly defaced Ikom Urban.
According to Abang; “Individuals constructing houses now no longer keep to design and have gone out on their own to deface the town. Location of business premises in residential areas is fast making the town congested thereby causing more traffic. ”
Abang further stated that the town is now prune to flood as a result of a poor drainage system.
“There is no proper drainage system in Ikom Urban. After any slight rainfall, the whole town is littered with wastes. Also, lands are sold against the initial intension of government.” Abang stated.
Both Co-sponsors and other Lawmakers unanimously agreed that lkom Urban should be urgently redesigned in line with it’s current status adding that this will greatly enhance the aesthetics of the town and also improve it’s security architecture.
The Lawmakers stressed that if the redesigning is done professionally, it will lead to the expansion of the road network amongst other benefits which will in turn encourage private investors to establish businesses in the area.
In conclusion of the debate on the motion, the House adopted a 5-point resolution as follows;
That the Ministries of Lands and Housing through the department of Town Planning should come up with a modern Master Plan for the town while proper drainage systems to be constructed to aid evacuation of water during and after rain fall.
The Legislators also resolved that, flyovers should be constructed in strategic areas to ease traffic congestion, relocation of the building materials market from the major highway and enforcement of strict compliance to approved standards
