By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Travellers along Calabar-Itu highway have expressed their displeasure over the deplorable state of the road for more than five years now.
They expressed sadness that the highway which was constructed in the mid seventies, has become a death trap as it has remained without maintenance ever since it was constructed.
A survey carried out by the Correspondents Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom Council revealed that there is hardly a portion of the road without deep potholes.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Itu, a regular user of the road, Mr Effiong Okon, a businessman said he lacked words to describe hardship experienced on the road by commuters.
“I lack word to describe the poor state of the Calabar-Itu road. The road users are now subjected to untold hardship, as if they committed sin for being citizens of Nigeria, and coming from this part of the country.
“A journey of 45 minutes drive from Calabar to Uyo when the road was newly constructed during the military administration of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, is now taking a two day drive.
“Travelers only know when they leave and cannot determine when to reach destination. If you are traveling on the road, you are going with a broken heart because of the tears that will come from your eyes during the trip.” He explained.
Another regular user of the road, Mr Ita Asuquo, said that since his family stay in Calabar, while he works in Uyo, his every weekend joirney have been reduced, to reduce ugly incidents experience on the highway.
Asuquo said that he has since stopped using his vehicle on the road because it would always end up in the mechanic workshop.
Mrs Eme Essien, who narrated her experience on the road said that on July 24, she missed a wedding in Uyo as they were stranded at Okurikang because of traffic gridlock occasioned by the poor state of the road.
“Traveling along this road is not a good experience at all. It is a nightmare couple with its attendant consequences. If there alternative, one will not travel through this road again.” She said.
Reacting to the poor state of the road, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Ita Enang, said that the delaye was due to funding challenges but said the Federal Government has requested for funding support from SuKuk bond to finance the reconstruction of the road.
“Right now we are looking at multilateral sources of funding the road. I have written and I am requesting for funding support from the Ministries, from the SuKuk bond through the Debt Management Office, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works and Housing to help the road with loan from the SuKuk bond.” Enang said
Enang said that contract for the construction of road has been awarded by the federal government to Julius Berger and China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) and appealed to the people to exercise more patience.
