By Onwa Ekor, Calabar
Chairman Cross River House of Assembly committee on works, Hon Egbe Abeng Egbe, has described the governor, Prince Bassey Otu, as a model with large heart, for embarking on the construction of 29.5 kilometres Nsan – Oban road in Akamkpa local government area.
Egbe stated this while fielding questions from newsmen at the bank of Great Qua river which links the people of Akamkpa 1 and 2, when he led members of his team on an oversight function to the project site.
“What I have seen here is like the state governor has decided to take over from the federal government because this kind of project can only be executed by that arm of government.
“I have to thank him for the big heart he has to embark on such a project which will, if completed, link the entire Akamkpa people, while creating access routes for farmers, tourists and speedy evacuation of natural resources,” the Committee chairman said.
Tracing history, Egbe explained that, “a year ago, to get to this place can only be achieved through trekking for at least two weeks, a development which today is being tackled through the opening of a road in this virgin forest.”
He used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to extend his magnanimity to the creation of a road in Ababene / Iyamitet communities in Obubra.
Chairman, House committee on finance and appropriation, Hon Cyril Omini, disclosed that the House would be doing a memo seeking support for the road in order not to leave it abandoned.
According to Omini, “In a country like Canada, they survive from what they have which includes wood. You can see that we are in the thick of the forest, so immediately we have all that done, we would be sure of accessibility of people moving out with their products.”
He added that opening up the road would pave way for tourists to access the Qua falls and the National park, admitting that “the road project remains a wonderful and brilliant achievement that will go a long way for the present administration in the state.”
Elated Omini who said he is satisfied with the work done so far, also commended the governor for the initiative, the Works Commissioner and his team including the contractor for a speedy job within few months.
Commissioner of Works and infrastructure, Hon Pius Edet, went biblical as he reasoned that fixing the road is like a creation of what had never existed, noting that, “this is what God wants because after creating the world, he gave you the power to create other facilities.”
Explaining that the road has never been done from the creation of the world, Edet urged the people of the community to cooperate with government and the contractor as the road and bridges would serve as a connecting link to strengthen the unity, common love, understanding and marriage between the two constituencies in Akamkpa.
Giving an overview of the progress of job achieved, the CEO of FaithPlant Global services, Michael Asuquo, informed that the road spans 29.5 kilometres and his firm has opened up 18 kilometres and achieved about 20 culverts.
“We have been able to complete earth works, some sections have been completed with drainage and stonebased at the point of asphalting, since we are in the peak period of the construction season, by the Grace of God, we intend to further clear.
“We have gone beyond the time limit because if we go to our documents we are less than four months in this project and you can see the span of work done here,” Asuquo said.
The contractor who pointed out that the people of Akamkpa are anxiously waiting for the completion of the project which would also open up the park for lots of investment for the state, hinted that frankly, the project would add value to the lives of his people.
