Inyali Peter|7 August 2016
…Advises State to Partner FG on Quick Solution
Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governorship candidate of the party in the last general election in Cross River State, Mr. Odey Ochicha has decried the deplorable road infrastructure in the state and advise the state to partner with the federal government to urgently address the situation.
In a statement issued in Calabar, Ochicha regretted that the only major highway leading to the state was impassable even as he said that the state was too big to rely on a single road network leading to the capital.
The APC chieftain who noted that Calabar as the first capital city of Nigeria would have had the best road network in the south south region of the country considering its great policy on tourism, faulted the previous administrations for neglecting the state in infrastructural development.
He expressed confidence that the President Muhammadu Buhari led federal government would be willing to partner with the state government to address the crumbled infrastructural development in the state.
According to him, “The three federal roads in the state, Calabar-Itu, Calabar-Ogoja and Calabar-Ikang are impassable. This is very sad and unfortunate. We can't afford to have a one road city as it's currently the case. A one narrow road leading to Calabar over the years is an apology and should not be so considering the significance of Calabar as the former federal capital of Nigeria and the state as a tourism destination.
“Calabar was the first capital city of Nigeria and so by now, it should be a modern city but all our infrastructure are crumbling and in very terrible state. It appears, we have a governor in Cross River State but with no governance in the state. The major roads in the state should at least be dualized after over 56 years of independence and the simple solution is to partner with the federal government” to get these very important roads fixed in order to stimulate economic and commercial activities in the state.
While advising the state government to invest heavily in building roads, bridges and good transport network in the state, Ochicha said that, accessible roads would not only create jobs for the teeming youths, but will also have the potential of stimulating the state's economy.
“The crumbling infrastructure is impacting negatively on our economy. When our roads are modernized, it opens up the state for more economic activities unlike now when commuters have to pass through two states; Abia and Ebonyi to access Cross River State. Good roads will stimulate our economy therefore there should be increased investment on our roads development”, he said.
Bearing his mind on the rate of refuse in Calabar he said that, “Calabar was considered the cleanest city in Nigeria but now has become one of the dirtiest cities with refuse everywhere. The government needs to do more by employing more hands as well as consulting previous administrations on possible ways of returning Calabar to it cleanest status again”. He concluded by saying “God bless Cross River State”.
Inyali Peter
Writes from Calabar