…as Eastern Obolo people are cut off from the state due to bad road
Nearly two years after the Akwa Ibom State Government awarded the contract for the construction of the Ikot Akpaden–Okoroete–Iko Road to the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the project remains at the excavation and filling stage, with no tangible progress recorded.
The project, which was expected to transform transportation and economic activities across Onna and Eastern Obolo local government areas as promised by Governor Umo Eno, has instead become a source of frustration for residents and commuters who rely on the route for daily movement.
Investigations by this reporter reveal that the slow pace of work is largely due to inadequate funding from the administration of Governor Umo Eno. Without consistent financial backing, CCECC has reportedly been unable to progress beyond the preliminary stages of construction, leaving large portions of the road impassable and overrun by erosion and stagnant water.
According to indepth findings, In what many have described as a commendable show of corporate social responsibility, Sterling Global, an International Company operating within the area, offered to provide materials such as stones, asphalt, machinery, and sharp sand free of charge to support and expedite the project’s completion. However, the contractor, CCECC, reportedly turned down the offer.
It is worth recalling that three months ago, the contractor abandoned the site, leaving only a solitary excavator on the road, thereby isolating Eastern Obolo from the other regions of the state. In response to the community’s distress, Sterling Global intervened by filling and laying Asphalt on a segment of the road to render it passable. However, upon their return to the site last week, CCECC dismantled all the remedial work executed by Sterling Global, rendering the road impassable once more. The women, youth, and community leaders have voiced their determination to protest against both the government and the contractor responsible for the road construction describing the attitude of the contractor and government as wickedness
Community leaders and residents have since expressed disappointment over the rejection, describing it as insensitive and counterproductive by both the government and CCECC.
“This road is our lifeline,” said Elder Ikoawaji Reuben, and Eberien Asuk, a community leader in Okoroete, and Youth Leader. “Farmers can no longer move their produce to markets in Ikot Abasi, Uyo, and neighbouring communities, and transporters avoid this route completely. We are surprised that a company like Sterling Global offered to help, yet the contractor refused and Governor Umo Eno who promised to construct this road for us has completely abandoned us.
A commercial Driver, Mr. Edidiong Bassey, who plies the route, lamented the state of the road. “We now spend hours navigating deep gullies and flooded sections. Vehicles break down daily, and passengers suffer. Government should either fund this project properly or change the contractor,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Nsanawaji Timothy, a trader from Iko, described the situation as “a nightmare.” “Our businesses are suffering. Sometimes, trucks carrying goods get stuck for days. We had high hopes when this project was announced, but today it’s just an abandoned site,” she said.
Despite repeated promises from the government to accelerate infrastructure projects across the state, the continued neglect of this vital road has raised questions about the administration’s commitment to equitable development and effective project supervision.
Stakeholders have called on Governor Umo Eno to urgently intervene, release adequate funds, and hold the contractor accountable for the delay. They pleaded that Governor Umo Eno should demonstrate empathy towards Eastern Obolo, particularly in light of the 13% derivation he is receiving from the oil produced in the area.
