By Musa Yaro, Calabar
Governor of Cross River state, Bassey Otu has assured residents of the Ukelle community in the Yala local government area of his administration’s commitment to completing the abandoned road project in the area.
The governor gave the assurance during an on-the-spot assessment of the 39km road abandoned newly two decades ago.
Otu noted that its completion will boost economic activities and ease vehicular movement.
In a meeting with the Clan Head of Wanokom, Denis Ugede, and other chiefs in his palace, Senator Otu assured of the commencement of the road construction in the dry season.
“Today I decided to drive through all the wards in Ukelle particularly this Northern flank that borders Benue State to appraise the state of the road here with the view to bringing back the economic life of this area.
“This particular road has been a problem for my people and the project is very dear to my heart. So, I decided to come personally for an on-the-spot assessment of its current state to enable us to commence construction work as soon as the dry season sets in.
“I aim to create an access road here to bring the ever-bubbling socio-economic activities in these border communities to better a lot of our people.
“Already, there is some work going here and we will find out the level they have gone for possible collaboration with relevant Federal Government agencies handling the work to ensure speedy completion of this all-important road project.
“I have been informed that successive administrations have carried out the same inspections and never fulfilled the promises made, but be rest assured that this will be the final inspection by state government officials and we are going to complete the construction of this road project,” Otu promised.
He commended the traditional institution for the support accorded his predecessor, Prof. Ben Ayade, and extended his gratitude for the support his administration has started receiving from them.
“Let me give you my assurance that we will do all within our ability to raise the standard of living of the people of Ukelle,” the governor assured.
The Clan Head of Wanokom, Denis Ugede, was full of praise for the governor, asserting that, “the Ukelle Nation will now sleep well having gotten such a heartwarming assurance from the government to complete their road after several years of being exposed to untold hardship due to lack of access road to evacuate their farm produce,”
The elated traditional ruler, who decried the level of food wastages farmers have recorded over the years, said, “We are happy that today, God is going to use you to liberate the Ukelle Nation from this prolong suffering and I am happy that this will take place during our lifetime,”
He reminded the governor of the need to review upward the monthly stipends of traditional rulers as promised during his campaign visit, maintaining that, the review will boost their morale in carrying out their traditional roles in the communities.
Former member of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ogana Lukpata, who spoke on behalf of other stakeholders, disclosed that the people were shocked to see the governor carry out an on-the-spot assessment of roads in the area after over two decades.
“We are extremely delighted to have His Excellency undergo an inspection of the abandoned road with the view to fixing it and to us, he has already started his 2027 campaign in Ukelle and we will be glad to support him.
“This road has become a big setback to us because our people are very industrious but limited by access roads to evacuate their produce.
“I can attest that now that you have come, seen the road, and resolved to see to its completion, economic activities on this road will be humongous and will transform the lives of our citizenry,” Lukpata stated.
