By Anietie Akpan
General excitements rend the air, as Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, leads the Minister of FCT Nyesom Wike, and other dignitaries to the inauguration of the 15.13KM Ika – Azumini Road and some other internal roads on Wednesday, September 24.
The excitement was displayed when journalists were led on a tour to the roads by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso.
Chairman of Ika Local Government Area, Barr. Utibe Nwoko, who spoke with the journalists declared, “the road we are talking about is the first indigenous road in Ika. I am proud to say so, because there has never been a time a road has been flagged off in Ika and commissioned except this particular road.
”The people are celebrating the Governor for doing this. This is to celebrate the former government of Mr Udom Emmanuel for starting the project, and the present government came to our rescue by investing in the completion of the project and other road projects.
”Inside there, the women numbering thousands, have been clapping and applauding the Governor, and they will be out in their numbers tomorrow to welcome and celebrate the Governor.”
The Ika Council Boss explained that the Ika-Azumini Road stretches from Ikot Esu/Ikot Akpan Okure in Ika, Akwa Ibom State to Azumini in Ukwa East, Abia State, linking Rivers State within minutes.
Barr Nwoko also added that the road is one of the most viable economic corridors in the South-South, promising faster connections to major business points in Aba, Abia State.
”This is one of the most viable economic roads in Akwa Ibom State. From what I have just said, you understand the enormous benefits of the road, not only to Ika people, but to the generality of Akwa Ibom people, Rivers State people, Abia people, Cross Riverians, and of course the Bayelsans. ”
For Catechist Biatus Udofia, a stakeholder from Ika, the project was not just about Ika land, but about bridging Akwa Ibom with its neighbours.
”Ika is a border local government and this is the very first road that connects us with neighbouring our state.
”It’s not easy for the Governor to have agreed to invest in this project despite the fact that it stretches into Abia state. So we are grateful to this administration and we have decided to follow him. Anywhere he’s going. We will follow him till 2031 and beyond.
”When someone does something for you, he deserves to be appreciated. We appreciate him but we plead for him to do more by giving us more roads.
Explaining the road, Engr. Cosmos Anigbogu, Managing Director of Cossel Construction Company Nigeria Limited, confirmed that the 15.13-kilometre project, with an eight-metre width and double drainage, has been fully completed and is ready for use.
”This road is 15.13 kilometers, starting from Ikot Esu, Otomo to Azumini end. The road is eight meters wide with drainage on two sides and the road has been completed and is ready for commissioning.
”The terrain before the construction started, was very bad. No one could even move an inch during the rainy season. Even when we were awarded the road, our trucks couldn’t pass, it was a very difficult terrain. We had to start it and we thank Governor Umo Eno for being able to finance the road to the completion level today.
”During the construction of the project, we had some challenges with the community, but everything was later settled and the two communities are happy.
“And this road creates a good access to both Azumini and Ika local government in Akwa Ibom State. And this is a very big development to connect the two states, so I think the two communities are now getting together. I don’t think there’s any problem.”
