Gov Otu pledges to complete abandoned C’River-Benue Border Rd
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu has vowed to complete the long abandoned 39km Cross River – Benue Border Road.
The governor said he is aware that other administration’s have made similar promises in the past without fulfilling it and promised to be the last to do so.
Governor Otu made the pledge during an on the spot assessment of the road which has remained in a very poor state for over two decades.
In a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede and other chiefs in his palace, Senator Otu assured of the commencement of the road construction in the dry season.
“Today I decided to drive through all the wards in Ukelle particularly this Northern flank that borders Benue State to appraise the state of the road here with the view to bringing back the economic life of this area.
“This particular road has been a problem to my people and the project is one that is very dear to heart. So, I decided to come personally for an on-the-spot assessment of its current state to enable us commence construction work as soon as the dry season sets in.
“My aim is to create access road here to bring the ever bubbling socio-economic activities in these border communities to better the lot of our people.
“I have been informed that successive administrations have carried out same inspections and never fulfilled the promises made.
“Be rest assured that this will be the final inspection by state government officials and we are definitely going to complete the construction of this road project,” Otu promised in a statement by his Chief press secretary Emmanuel Ogbeche.
He commended the traditional institution for the support accorded his predecessor, Prof. Ben Ayade, and extended his gratitude to the support his administration has started receiving from them.
“Let me give you my assurance that we will do all within our ability to raise the standard of living of the people of Ukelle,” the governor assured.
The Clan Head of Wanokom, Chief Denis Ugede thanked the governor, saying “the Ukelle Nation will now sleep well having gotten such a heartwarming assurance from the government to complete their road after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to evacuate their farm produce.”
He decried the level of food wastages farmers have recorded over the years, said, “We are happy that today, God is going to use you to liberate the Ukelle Nation from this prolong suffering and I am happy that this will take place during our life time.”
Former member of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders, disclosed that the people were shocked to see the governor carry out on-the-spot assessment of roads in the area after over two decades.
In his words, “I can attest that now that you have come, seen the road and resolved to see to its completion, economic activities on this road will be humongous and will transform the lives of our citizenry,” Lukpata stated
