By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
For indegenes and residents of Nto Edino in Obot Akara LGA of Akwa Ibom and Ekwereazu Ngwa in Obingwa LGA of Abia state, the 300m Nto Edino twin bridges have become a saviour to education and healthcare delivery in the area.
This was after the old iron bridge, constructed during the civil war and linking the communities with their brothers in Akwa Ibom damaged due to old age and disrepair.
They told journalists who went on a tour of some projects executed by Governor Udom Emmanuel that the new bridge has salvaged what was left of basic education and healthcare delivery in the area as students and sick persons virtually became starved of these basic services when the bridge collapsed.
Paramount Ruler of Obot-Akara, Akuku Uwa Umo Adiaka who scored Governor Emmanuel very high in infrastructural developments in the rural communities of the area recalled how students could not access their schools for several years.
Adiaka also recalled how many a pregnant women met their Waterloo while attempting to cross the damaged bridge to access a medical facility as their community was cut off from the rest of the LGA and state.
The Monarch who also listed other projects in the area to include the ongoing Nto Ide-Ikot Amba-Ikot ossom road linking ikot umo Essien-ikot inemme-Aba road, the completed 4.2km Abak Ifia – Ikpe Mbak Eyop- Ikot Abia Osom- Nko Road project, 6.36km Nko- Ikot Abia Osom-Ikpe Mbak Eyop road and several others, said the people of the area would remain grateful to the Governor for salvaging them from years of neglect.
“Governor Udom has done a lot of things but we will particularly commend him for Ekwerazu road and bridges. Successive government’s had promised to fix that road, but failed to do so. We can’t count the number of lives lost at that bridge.
“You may not understand what those roads, especially the Nto Edino bridge means for us. We had lost so many expectant mothers at that spot and our people could no longer access this other side. Even if that was all the project the Governor did, we would have been happy with him. But he has gone ahead to build another bridge at Ikot Amba and he is doing other roads here. We pray every day about the Governor that God should bless him.”
“We will not cease to thank our Governor that has given us that bridge and the road. This is one project i will not cease to say God bless Udom.
“Next, I will thank him for Ikot amba-ikot-osom bridge.That river has taken many kids and adults.The river connects nto edino and Ikot Abia clan.Those saying Udom has not done anything in Obot Akara are engaging in political gimmicks.
“This Governor has done exceedingly well for Obot-Akara, helping to connect us with other parts of the state.”He explained.
At Ekwerazu-Nnwa Community in Obingwa LGA of Abia State, where the Nto-Edino-Ekwereazu road with bridge terminated, a trader in the area, Obinna Ceaser Okebu told Journalists how the road has boosted economic activities in the area and the route.
“This road was in a bad state before the Governor of Akwa Ibom State intervened. The road is more safer than other roads. It’s crime free, easy access to Umuahia, Enugu and the rest of the east. It’s a channel road to the East. I thank the Governor for constructing this road.” He said.
Also, Ndifreke Okon Elijah who hails from Nto ideh in Obot Akara describef the Governor as an answered prayers to the many years of neglect and abandonment but however sued for work on the ikot Amba axis of the second road project to be expedited.
Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso lauded the people of Obot-Akara for their steadfastness and loyalty to the Udom Emmanuel administration, and reassured of the readiness of the government to complete all ongoing projects.
