Some prominent elders from Eket Local Council of Akwa Ibom have denied receiving contracts from Governor Udom Emmanuel for the reconstruction of dilapidated internal roads in Eket metropolis.
This followed Emmanuel’s allegation that the elders should be held responsible for the deplorable condition of internal roads in the oil-city.
Condemnations and threats against the leaders particularly by youths of the area have continued to rise following the accusation.
However, elders of the area under the aegis of Eket Integrity Forum have challenged the governor to mention names of those he awarded road contracts to.
A member of the board of trustees Eket Integrity Forum, Chief(Dr.) Usoro Usoro told newsmen that contracts for the rehabilitation of the worst roads in Eket were not awarded to any indigene of the council.
Usoro, a former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio, said the group is only aware that the governor gave contracts to Chief Nduese Essien, a former minister of Lands and Housing, who had since delivered 16 out of the 19 internal roads he was awarded.
”The so-called urban renewal was not awarded to Eket elders. The one kilometer construction from the bridgehead to where the old Post Office was, on Hospital road, was not awarded to an Eket elder.
“That road has been there for more than six years. The abandoned Idua Road, which has been there for about four years was not awarded to an Eket elder.
”The elders he tried to rope in, perhaps, concern the half- kilometer internal roads around the abandoned stadium project. The roads around that place were awarded to Kefam Limited, a company owned by Chief Nduese Essien. Perhaps, that’s why he made reference to Eket elders.
”The uncompleted, yet commissioned Eket-Ibeno Road, was not awarded to an Eket elder. The governor commissioned that road about three years ago, yet some sections are yet to be completed. The street lights which were supposed to be part of the road design are not there.
”I don’t know which angle the elders are to be blamed. He should have been more specific? Are we to blame the elders for not making much noise about the deplorable situation in Eket or they should be blamed to not supporting him?” He explained.
Usoro accused Governor Emmanuel of stocking hatred against Eket elders and justifying his failure to develop Eket which is the headquarters of his senatorial district.
Meanwhile Essien said he has completed 16 out of 19 internal roads in Eket awarded to his company, Kefam Nigeria Ltd, adding works are still ongoing on the remaining three.
“Thirteen (13) roads were awarded to Kefam Nigeria Limited in 2020 by the Akwa Ibom State government. Out of the thirteen roads, we have completed 11 while the remaining two are ongoing. In January 2021, additional six (6) roads were awarded to Kefam.
”Though the state government has not mobilized the company for the additional six roads but because it’s our area, we have taken it up and completed five out of the six.” The ex Minister said through his company’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Amos.
