By Nathaniel Otaba
For several years, indigenes of Opaka, Ebo, Okpodon, Wanokom, Wanikande, and Uju rural communities in Yala local government area, northern Cross River State gropped in agony of not just poverty but sheer lack of basic social amenities, like access road, power supply just to mention a few.
According to some of the residents, untill the recent directive of governor Bassey Edet Otu for contractors to immediately mobilize to site and ensure connecting communities had access road, residents never had the opportunity of even seeing what a car looked like.
Historically, the North Ukelle road, which stretches to the border of Benue State, had remained impassable for decades. Initial intervention by governmenst in the early 90s encountered numerous setbacks and was therefore left abandoned for years, apart from the immediate past administration which made fruitless attempts to fix it, the community is about the only area that has never witnessed what a motorbike looks like.
Upon assuming office, Sen. Bassey Otu assured Cross Riverians that his administration will focus on “consolidating on the gains of all past administrations” and as such will complete all inherited unfinished projects. In keeping to this promise, the governor undertook a statewide inspection of all uncompleted projects.
In one of those trips in northern Cross River State, the governor inspected the Yahe-Wanihem road, where he was able to witness first-hand what the people went through, during that visit, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fix the road. This according to him will ensure rural community connectivity as well as encourage trade relations amongst such communities. Today, in fulfillment of his promises, the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade road is among the countless projects in several rural communities undergoing construction and rehabilitation under the current administration.
Apart from the fact that indigenes of that community has never seen what a motorbike or a car looked like, trade in the community before now was practically dead. For example, if garri was selling at 5 cups for a thousand naira in other communities, the same garri will be sold for 5 cups at one hundred naira, due to inaccessibility of buyers to the community. That was how bad things were. The economic implications of these actions could only be imagined . But today, the story is different, courtesy of the commitment of governor Bassey Edet Otu.
Before the massive constructions currently going on the those villages, a visit to Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade-Wanihem communities, one would buy five tubers of yam with almost ten times less than the price you would buy in any of the nearby communities. The common excuse was that farmers could hardly get their produce out of such communities, especially with it’s very difficult terrains.
The agriculture producing communities faced years of isolation, due to lack of access road which locked them out of modern civilization. The absence of road did not only hinder transportation but severely limited access to economic opportunities and to essential services.
With the construction of the 40km stretch road network , which takes off in phases, economic activities of the people will not only improve astronomically, their living standard will no doubt greatly improve.
The stretch of road has been strategically divided into very critical areas: 1km between Ebo and Ezekwe, 2km between Opaka and Wanokom, and 2km in the Wanikande axis , the rest covers the other communities.
Groundwork for the project has already begun, opening access to communities like Ebo, Opaka, Wanokom, and Wanikade sub communities.
which previously had no such access.
Today, the excitement on the faces of the indigenes are palpable as they see trucks, heavy duty machines and other equipments make their way into their communities for the first time,
For many children in the communities, seeing a vehicle for the very first time in their lives is an experience they may never forget. This small yet impactful moment symbolizes hope and progress for a community that has long endured a challenging existence.
Currently, the construction of hydraulic structures has commenced, with concrete work and culverts at advanced stages. The completion of the Yahe-Wanokom-Wanikade road is anticipated within the next 12 months, heralding a brighter future for the residents of these communities.
This development not only promises improved transportation but also the potential for enhanced economic growth and a better quality of life. In Cross River State, Sen Bassey Otu is restoring hope and confidence for a better society.
Nathaniel Otaba is Special Assistant, Communication to governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State
