Stakeholders in Yala gather to celebrate the reconstruction of the 24 km Okuku-Mfom road.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has commissioned a portion of the 24 km Okuku-Mfom road in Yala Local Government Area (LGA) of the state 50 years after.
The road was last constructed 50 years ago and the Governor Ben Ayade led government commenced the reconstruction in 2019 but was later abandoned.
However, Governor Otu on assumption of office two years ago recommenced the construction of the road as his political associate, High Chief Higgins Peters on Sunday flagged off the completion of the abandoned portion of the Okuku-Mfom road.
Palpable joy and excitement reigned the air as women, chiefs, men and youths of Okpudu community in Okpoma, Yala LGA turned out enmasse to sing praises for the Governor with some shedding tears of joy .
Speaking at the event, Hon Sylvester Agabi, the Deputy Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly who represented the Speaker, Mr Elbert Ayamban, said the road which was meant to serve as a vital .artery between neighbouring states of Ebonyi , Abia and Cross River for the evacuation of food produce and easy movement of people turned into a death trap because of its devastated state claiming many lives.
“This road was constructed over 50 years ago and has been in a terrible State when Senator Ben Ayade undertook to construct it in 2019 and somehow this portion was not completed eventually it turned out to be a death trap”, he said.
He praised Senator Bassey Otu for keeping to his campaign promise to reconstruct the road and complete it in record time stating that the economic status of the communities living along the axis the road passes through would be significantly boosted when it is competed in a few months.
“Our leader, High Chief Higgins Peters has just ‘revealed to us that another set of construction equipment have arrived to begin construction from the Mfom point that is to say construction will go on simultaneously from both axis which will speed up completion of work, we cannot thank Governor Otu and High Chief Higgins Peters enough for this bold initiative”, he added.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ogamode Eje Ipuole, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers and communities, said the construction of the road means a lot to the people and advised them to cooperate with the workers and avoid any form of confrontation or conflict so that work will go on smoothly.
He said the people are strongly in support of the effort of the governor and his political ally and assured that the equipment and staff of the construction firm would be adequately protected .
A youth of the area, Engr. Cosmos Ekwo said, the 50 year life span of the road had long become over and applauded the Governor and Chief Huggins for their effort in working for the good of the people.
Another youth, Prince Dan Onah said the tears of joy shed by the people is a testament to the feeling of the people that lives lost on the road, tyres damaged and a incidents and other effects of the road on the people have come to and end.
During his second tenure in 2019, Senator Ayade undertook the construction of the discursive mom eyes road which stretches across five local government areas of the North of the State beginning from Mfom in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwara , Obudu and terminating at the Ranch Resort in Obanlikwu local government area.
The 24 kilometres left undone turned out to be a death trap taking many lives every year and this intervention would save a lot of damage to road users.
