Hon. Peter Akpanke, representing the Obudu/Bekwerra/Obanliku federal constituency, has commended the organisation ‘Who is Who in Cross River North‘ for their unwavering commitment to advocating for the repair of federal roads in the Cross River North senatorial district. Their efforts, particularly through a recent letter, have amplified the call for urgent attention to the state of the region’s roads, aligning with the ongoing work of elected officials like Hon. Akpanke to secure government support for critical infrastructure development.
In a statement, Hon. Akpanke highlighted his own efforts in bringing attention to the deteriorating state of key roads in Cross River North, including the Ikom-Wula-Obudu and Ikom-Ogoja-Gakem roads. During a town hall meeting organised by the Federal Ministry of Works in June 2024 in Calabar, focused on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Railway project, Akpanke personally raised the issue with Sen. Dave Umahi, Honourable Minister of Works. Since that meeting, Akpanke has consistently followed up with official correspondence to stress the urgency of fixing these vital roadways.
In what seemed like a positive development, the federal government recently awarded contracts for the maintenance of these roads to Jon Paca Investment Ltd and Ryte Reasons Ltd. However, Hon. Akpanke expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that the contractors have not mobilised to the sites or provided updates on the reasons for the months-long delay.
“This delay is unacceptable, especially given the critical importance of these roads to the livelihood and mobility of our people,” Akpanke stated. He urged both contractors to begin work immediately or provide a clear explanation of any challenges they face so that the necessary steps can be taken to address them.
Akpanke warned that continued inaction would force him to petition the Ministry of Works to revoke the contracts, emphasising that the patience of the people of Cross River North is running out. “We cannot afford to allow further delays that will exacerbate the suffering of our people,” he said.
The poor state of the Ikom-Wula-Obudu and Ikom-Ogoja-Gakem roads has led to significant disruptions in the movement of goods and services, leaving motorists stranded for days and further crippling the region’s economic activities. Akpanke stressed that with the festive season approaching, there would be increased travel and commerce, making it even more urgent to address these critical infrastructure needs.
In his concluding remarks, Hon. Akpanke reiterated his call for the contractors to either commence work or allow the contracts to be awarded to more capable companies. “The people of Obudu/Bekwerra/Obanliku federal constituency and Cross River State deserve timely completion of these road projects. If the contractors are unable to deliver, they should request that the contracts be revoked so that we can get the job done by those willing and able to do so.”
This call to action serves as a reminder of the pressing need for infrastructure development in Cross River North and the importance of holding contractors accountable to ensure the timely completion of projects that are vital to the welfare of the region’s residents.