By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Government has blamed the coronavirus pandemic for the slow pace of construction work on several road projects in the State.
One of such roads, the dualisation of the 23.4 kilometre Eket-Etinan, whose contract was awarded by former Governor Godswill Akpabio has been stagnated for some months now after spirited efforts to recommence construction which was abandoned by the Akpabio administration.
The outgone Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyangeyen who is now the Chief of Staff to Governor Udom Emmanuel told newsmen in an interview in Uyo on Thursday that the pandemic has affected the economic fortunes of the state, forcing the work to drag on.
He explained that other roads as well have been affected because of the economic downturn and increase in rainfall.
“Are you aware of COVID-19 and its economic implications on the state, and don’t you know that they do no road construction under the rain? But why are you interested in just this road in the midst of all the roads?”
Meanwhile, residents living within the affected areas and other Akwa Ibom people have lamented the delay on the completion of the road, wondering why some portions have been dualised, while work has not commenced on other sections.
Mr Usen Akpan, an indigene of Ndiya in Nsit Ubium local government area said the construction of the Ndiya to Etinan axis of the road has since been abandoned.
Akpan stated that since the road was graded, nothing has been done on the road, adding that some sections of the road have become impassable due to the rains.
“There is need for two bridges linking Afaha Nsit to Ndiya, and Afaha Nsit to Etinan to be built because of the dualisation. The Ndiya section of the road leading to Etinan has only been graded and abandoned for some years now, nothing has been done about it.
“There are many potholes at the Afaha Nsit axis area towards Ndiya, and it is making driving uncomfortable. In fact vehicles and motorcycles plying Afaha Nsit to Etinan have to resort to the use of Etinan Secretariat road as an alternative route, as the main road is still being constructed and we don’t know when it would be completed.” He said.
