Why No Governor Has Surpassed Udom Emmanuel on Road Construction Since Akwa Ibom Creation – Commissioner for Works
By Ekemini Simon
The Commissioner for Works and Fire Service, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Eno Ibanga has said that there is no State Administrator or Governor in Akwa Ibom State since creation that has surpassed Governor Udom Emmanuel on road construction.
The Commissioner said the reason for his claim is based on the number and quality of roads executed so far by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Addressing Socio-cultural organization in the State, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio on Sunday, the Commissioner explained that so far, the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel has embarked on 217 intervention road projects of which 120 have been commissioned. He noted that among these roads, 80 cost N1 billion and above and some of them have been completed.
He added ” We don’t start projects that are irrelevant. We do roads that will stand the test of time. Interestingly, most legacy roads have been completed.
” We are trying to connect the southern part of the State, the riverine areas because that is where most of the industries will be located. We have opened several roads down to that region. The reason is to encourage people to invest.
” Most of Governor Emmanuel’s projects are projects that continue from past administration. The Governor sees the need for a project, he doesn’t mind who takes credit. We are happy that his administration has given value for the money we have received. The quality and quantity of the roads we have done is much and interestingly too, we have quality roads built by indigenous contractors”.
The Works Commissioner assured that soon his ministry will roll out comprehensive statistics on the number of roads executed by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Prof Ibanga offered insight to the fact that the seeming delay in some road projects is due to the difficulty experienced in the terrain, controversies in compensation and the scarcity of bitumen during the first and second quarter of 2022.
He mentioned the uncomplicated section of Eket-Ibeno road and the Atabong Bridge in Eket as terrains that pose serious difficulty to contractors.
The Commissioner said that on the construction of the Atabong bridge in Eket, the contractors had to excavate up to 8 meters deep in order to exchange soil and allow it time to cure for the durability of the bridge.
Prof Ibanga who noted that some persons have stalled construction through litigations said the Ministry of Works under him has shown human face to the extent that even after payment of compensation, landlords are given adequate time to still remove things they had attachment with. He said the gesture has reduced litigation.
On scarcity of bitumen, the Commissioner stated that in around February, March, April, and May, bitumen which is a key component for construction was practically not available across the country even as the price of cement skyrocketed. He said the government is in the process of reviewing the amount of contracts to reflect current economic realities thus aid contractors fulfill their obligations.
Prof Ibanga assured that as the dry season begins to set in, most projects will receive adequate attention especially the Nsit Atai-Okobo road construction kept for commissioning in the first quarter of 2023.
Responding to questions bothering on Fire Service, Street lightening and Calabar Itu Highway, the Commissioner said the State Government has identified some trucks for repairs.
He added ” The concern has to do with funding. But I can tell you that there is no fire incident in Uyo that we have not responded to.”
Prof Ibanga decried the high level of vandalism and theft on street light equipment noting that it is the reason a few areas are having concern on lightning.
He said ” People go to the extent of removing generators that power the street lights but people are still living around there. When we change the armoured cabal today, tomorrow they remove it. Communities must be interested in public facilities in their area.”
On Calabar Itu Highway construction, the Commissioner insisted that it is an aberration for the federal government to ask the State Government to pay compensation on structures when they were the ones who did valuation.
He added ” The Federal Government wanted us to pay compensation on that road after they did valuation. Who did the valuation and submitted such a report? It is not done elsewhere. Why is the case of Akwa Ibom State different?”
In response, the leadership of Mbuho Mkparawa Ibibio commended the Commissioner for interpreting the vision of the Governor in infrastructural development.
The President of Mbuho, Akparawa James Edet charged the Commissioner not to let up in providing quality roads to the people of Akwa Ibom State. He commended the Governor for the roads so far constructed and prayed to God to give him the ability to complete most of the roads left.