The dilapidated condition of the 12.5 kilometer Adim/Abayong/Ebom road in Cross River State has been met with condemnation from Engr. Francis Ogban, the member representing Biase State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, and Barrister Odum-Ijom Ukam, the Commissioner for Youth Development.
Residents Struggle with Harsh Conditions
Ogban expressed his disappointment at the hardship faced by residents living along the road, which meanders through communities in Biase and Abi local government areas. He called the situation “heart-rending” and emphasized the urgent need for intervention.
As the Chairman of the Cross River State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure, Ogban, in collaboration with Commissioner Ukam, undertook an on-the-spot assessment of the road on Thursday.
Road’s Deterioration Causes Loss of Lives and Disrupts Services
The poor state of the road has resulted in the loss of several lives within the communities and has also severely impeded the movement of goods and services.
Ogban highlighted the significance of the road as a major concern for the affected communities. In a statement to reporters, he said, “My findings were indeed disheartening. The road is in a deplorable state, with mud-covered sections and large areas that have completely deteriorated, transforming into waterways. This has severely hindered the transportation of agricultural produce, such as yam, cassava, rice, and other goods, to the market.”
Finding Solutions: Collaboration and Funding
Ogban assured the public that he is actively working with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to ensure that necessary funds are allocated for the construction of the road in the affected communities.
Similarly, Commissioner Ukam also spoke about the road’s detrimental impact. He remarked, “The extremely poor state of the road has limited access to markets, resulting in economic losses for the state.”
Ukam further emphasized that the deplorable condition of the road has had a significant negative impact on the livelihoods of locals and has hindered the overall economic development of the community.
