The House of Representatives has taken action to address the prolonged delay in the rehabilitation of the Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene road, which currently remains in a deplorable state. During a plenary session, lawmakers adopted a motion titled “Deplorable State of Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road,” moved by several honorable members.
The House expressed concern over the contract for the rehabilitation and dualization of the Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road, which was awarded to three companies in 2021. Despite this, the project has been abandoned, exacerbating the suffering of citizens and hindering regional development. The road serves as a critical transportation route connecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom States with the eastern part of Nigeria, facilitating economic activities, social interactions, and overall regional growth.
They also noted that commuters have faced significant hardships due to the road’s poor condition, with travel times increasing from one hour to five hours or more. Additionally, the loss of man-hours has further impacted productivity. The House emphasized that the dilapidated road not only escalates transportation costs but also hampers the movement of goods and services.
Furthermore, the abandonment of crucial infrastructure projects reflects the government’s inability to meet citizens’ needs and undermines their welfare and prosperity. Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas presided over the plenary session, where the motion received unanimous support.
