As the world economic crisis triggers new permutations with Great Britain (GB) exiting from the European Union (EU) to go it alone, instead of being tied to the Euro currency which many years ago brought hope of global economic resurgence, Nigeria has suddenly fallen into recession. Moreso, with the crashing of oil prices in the world market as market leaders like Saudi-Arabia pump more oil into the market to sustain her national economy and lead buyers like the United States (US) finding alternative in shale oil, Nigeria’s national revenue yield has dwindled beyond predictions.
The unfolding national economic stress as caused many states in Nigeria not even to fulfill the basic needs of their people. Some states in the federation have owed workers salaries for several months running. The effects of this national economic tension has spiral into many sectors of our national life including the hardship commuters are experiencing moving across the nation on roads and other means of transportation.
Empirical evidence has shown that Nigeria, is one of the country with the highest road network globally and dependent on mass movement of goods and services by road.
But in the midst of all this confusion and tension His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade has proven to be one calculative, purposeful and undaunted individual State Governor who has kept the ship of his state moving in a right direction by prompt and regular payment of worker salaries; increased human resource development and capacity building through giving political appointments to several hundred of persons, recruiting about 1,500 Green Police Cadets and giving permanent employments to 150 DOPT Cadets who were on casual payroll for about three years. He has, also, completed some physical infrastructure in less than one year like the garment factory, monorail, and some roads in Calabar the state capital.
From all indications, Governor Ayade is a rare specie (leader) in Nigeria were person in such leadership position always give excuses for non-performance.
Yes! It is no news that Cross River State is among the least in federal allocation index compounded by debts owed by the Former State Chief Executives of previous administrations which are deducted at source making the state to fall further into zero allocation. It is also no news, that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has fallen due to collapse of many businesses affected by the general recession. Again, I doubt if it is news that road infrastructure between Calabar – Ikom – Ogoja and Ikom – Obudu – Ranch Resort, two Federal Highways providing linkage between the Southern and Northern parts of the state has collapsed and almost impassable.
What is news to many reasonable observers is the rumour mongers heaping the blame of collapse Federal Roads on the State Government which is doing everything within available resources to mitigate the situation. Oh, yes! In recent weeks the State Government repaired the “bad spot” adjacent to the gate of the Catholic Girls Juniorate at Iwuru and moved on to the Akpet Central “bad spot” were it entered into arrangements with Faith Plant to supply materials and equipment and successfully covered part of the collapsed portion. But my findings shows that non availability of funds is hindering the completion of the Akpet Central work (and not the arrest of Faith Plant Management being peddled or feed to the gullible public by rumour mongers) it is this perennial problems that has warranted Governor Ayade to construct an alternative route in the proposed Super-Highway.
As it is in the character of my boss Senator Ayade to always speak the truth and all of us working under him, I had to speak to Engineer Godwin Akeke (Director Civil, State Ministry of Works) who have been directly handling these repair works on the Federal Highways in the State. And he told me that by the order of the State Governor the portion in Iwuru was completely repaired while that of Akpet Central is in progress due to availability of funds. But that the pressure which the State Government mounted on Federal Authorities is now yielding fruits as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been given a matching order to remedy the situation.
According to Engr. Akeke information reaching him indicates that the Federal Roads in the State had been segmented into three between Calabar-Odukpani Junction, Calabar-Itu, and Odukpani-Adim and given to three different Construction Companies for repairs. Although, he was yet to ascertain the Companies, he said that Zenith Construction Company had been given the portion between Calabar-Odukpani Junction.
However, I am worried that these same gullible public do not even ask questions about the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) which is supposed to be in-charge of Federal Roads Maintenance in Cross River. This same malleable public does not bother to read the status books to understand that the Federal High Ways are trunk “A” Roads under Federal Jurisdiction. And that what is compounding the collapse of our Roads whether trunk “A” or “B” in the State is the heightened heavy tankers traffic now lifting petroleum from Calabar Depot coming from the Eastern and Northern part of the Country.
My appeal to citizens of this State and the Nation at large, is that these times calls for sober reflection, patience and understanding as good governance is a product of collective responsibility. Our Leaders whether at Federal, State or Local Government needs our support and prayers.
Suffice, is to say that Governor Ayade is not God. He is human with flesh and blood and he needs our prayers too. I believe that with “I can do” spirit of Governor Ayade these challenges are surmountable.
