Poorly constructed road at 8-Miles, located at the outskirts of Calabar metropolis
PATRICK ABANG Calabar –
Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) has decried the continued delay in funding the Calabar-Itu -Ikot Ekpene road .
The Forum said exactly two years ago “our people, protest over the deplorable state of the road and contracts awarded, to Julius Berger and Sermatech Nig. Ltd, nothing has changed”
“We were told by the Hon Minister of Works, that this project would be given priority funding, through the SUKUK bond starting from the year 2020. But sadly, all the promises were dashed’
Addressing journalists at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre on Thursday, the forum’s National President, Success Jack as well as the Cross River State Chairman, Paul Ajie, both emphasized that “at this point, that the sufferings, the pains, economic and social woes brought upon our people, by the dysfunctionality of this road is one too many”
According to them, “Our people are however, disappointed by the fact that, while other projects across the country are being well funded and progressed, this one has virtually remained unattended with huge economic loss and hemorrhage to the people of Cross Rivers State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large”
“We acknowledge that, over this period in review, a lot of work has been done in awarding the balance of the distance to Sermatech Nig Ltd. But Mr President, there are still issues hindering progress and causing a stalemate’
The group alleged that “Sermatech Nig Ltd has mobilized to the road but were stopped from commencing work because compensations for individual properties on the right of way have not been paid”
“Julius Berger and CCECC from our investigation need to be cashbacked to fast track their jobs and open a new leaf in social and economic life of our people”
“Your Excellency, our apprehension is growing by the day and communities are getting agitated, businesses are increasingly being unsettled, security of lives and properties are at stake”
“Fuel tankers are falling on daily basis risking the cremation of local dwellers, passengers, transporters of goods and services are easy targets for petty robbers and bandits. Commercial transporters are no longer able to earn their fair and sustainable wages any longer, because simple journeys of an hour is not protracted for over six hours or more. The ripple effects of this singular project that remains unattended, is threatening to drive our land and people to extinction” they alleged.
“The paucity of funds complained by the federal government should not be said, only when it comes to critical projects of national importance within the Niger Delta region. With barely fifteen months to the 2023 general elections, our hope for the completion of this project is growing thinner.
We believe that this situation provides you with a rare opportunity to write your name in gold in the hearts of our people”
“We will be reviewing the situation in the next thirty days , with the inevitable option of shutting down the road once more”
