Indegenes of Akwa Ibom in the Diaspora, under the aegies of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria, AKISAN, have expressed disappointment over the deplorable state of Federal roads in the South South region of the country.
AKiSAN National President, USA, Mr. Itoro Akpan-Iquot who made this known in an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Uyo lamented that many Federal roads in the region have failed pointing out that the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene highway has been the worst hit.
Akpan-Iquot however noted that Akwa Ibom government under Governor Udom Emmanuel has done well in various sectors of the economy including human capacity development and aviation but appealed to it to improve upon its achievements by intervening on the Akwa Ibom side of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Highway.
He attributed part of the problem bedeviling Nigeria to bad leadership and advised the electorates to vote their conscience during the 2023 general elections.
“Based on what I have seen here in the State, the current administration has done well. Overall they have done very well, but one area I want the governor to improve upon is roads. I went to Calabar on Sunday and the road is something else. I came back with headache and my stomach was shaking so much.
“It is something I want to talk to the governor about too. I know it is a federal road, but I would like if we have the money let us at least fix Akwa Ibom own side. Don’t get me wrong, I know it is a federal thing, but I will like the state government involved, because, there is a lot of businesses that flows on that road.
“There may be a refund from the federal government for fixing the road, there maybe not, but let us think of long term economic benefit of the road to our people. Bad leadership is part of the problem of Nigeria. In general whenever a system is not functioning, there is always a process of taking care of it, the electoral process.
“So I will advice Nigerians that when elections come in 2023, vote your conscience. Don’t sell your Permanent Voter Card (PVC) for N5000. The problem is that people sell their votes. If you sell your vote, that money you get is for now , it is not for the next 4 to 8years. Don’t always think of the immediate gain, think of your grandchildren, the future. If you see something going wrong speak out, then things will change for good.” He explained.
The AKISAN National President who disclosed that he was in the State to create more awareness on the existence of the association at the grassroots, expressed his readiness and commitment to take the association to a greater height, more united, and stronger.
Akpan-Iqout particularly commended past and present governors of the state for the encouragement accorded the associate and support during its Medical mission, empowerment and scholarship programmes in the country.
‘”Akwa Ibom State Government has been supportive over the years. I could be wrong but the first time they made a large donation was in 2008/2009. And ever since they have been doing the same thing. That is very, very encouraging.” He said.
