By Kelvin Obambon
A socio-political advocacy group, Cross River South Consultative Forum, has appealed to the federal government of Nigeria to commence work simultaneously from both ends of the recently approved Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.
The Forum made the appeal on Thursday during a visit to the Federal Controller of Works in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Forum, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, said the wisdom behind commencing work from Lagos and Calabar at the same time, was that it would reduce chances of abandoning the project, especially if construction work begins only from the Lagos end of the road.
He said the appeal became necessary because of past experience, citing section 5 of the East-West road, which according to him, was supposed to link Cross River to Akwa Ibom state, but it was abandoned.
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“The story of Cross River State seems to be the story of perpetual woes. We are aware that at a point in time there was the East-West road which links the south south of Nigeria to the western part of Nigeria. The section 5 of that East-West road is supposed to link Cross River state to Akwa Ibom state.
“I’m quite aware of the fact that the initial plan for that road looked as if it was not intended to be done because crossing the Cross River channel from Oron with about 10 or so bridges to Calabar South, which was the initial plan, looks like something you only see happening in China. And we are not China. It’s only China that has infrastructural wonders – the 8th, 9th and 10th wonders of the world.
“When our brother Usani Usani was the Minister of Niger Delta, I’m aware that that road was rerouted to come out at Tinapa, which was more realistic. But the story of Cross River State – the woe continues. Section 5 of that road seems to have been buried in the sands of time as if it will never be done again. That has been our story.
“We were exhilarated by the news that the Lagos-Calabar superhighway is about to be launched. And we are also worried that it will end up the way all others have ended. The Calabar end will never come to fruition. So our appeal to the Honourable Minister is this; the distance between Calabar and Lagos is the same distance between Lagos and Calabar.
“We are aware that Lagos state government has published notice of revocation of rights of occupancy and the right of way. We are appealing to the federal minister of works to do the same in Calabar. Let the road start from the two ends simultaneously. That will reassure us that we are also part of the federal republic of Nigeria. We are not a forgotten people,” he said.
The Forum also made passionate appeal to the federal government to expedite action on the deplorable state of Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene, Oban-Ekang and Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja-Katsina Ala roads which are all federal projects that are either uncompleted or executed poorly.
In her response, the Federal Controller of Works in Cross River, Engr (Mrs) A.R. Osim, thanked the Cross River South Consultative Forum for finding time to visit and make representations on issues that affect the people in the state.
She assured members of the Forum that Cross River will not be left behind and that the issues they raised would duly be communicated and presented to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, for adequate attention.
The Controller, however, attributed the slow pace of work on the sites of some federal projects, such as the Oban-Ekang road, to hostile attitude of host communities towards contractors handling the projects.
At this juncture, members of the forum assured her that they were going to work with her office to clear obstacles at the community level impacting the smooth execution of federal government projects, especially in Cross River Southern Senatorial District, where they have their sphere of influence.