GOVERNMENT'S INSENSITIVITY: THE OLD ITU ROAD EXAMPLE.

GOVERNMENT'S INSENSITIVITY: THE OLD ITU ROAD EXAMPLE.
... As Federal and State Government abandoned her citizenry. 


Edet John
(edetjhn@yahoo com)

Old Itu Road, a popular trunk A road in Akwa Ibom State that cuts across 3 LGAs namely: Ikot Ekpene, Ikono and Ibiono Ibom LGAs with the largest landmass in Ikono LGA. was before the creation of other routes, the only access road from Ikot Ekpene to Calabar; the then Cross River State capital.

Regrettably, this road suffered neglect and abandonment by both the federal and state governments and the only bridge linking two communities in Ikono Local Government Area (Ibianang and Edem Iyere) collapsed bringing to a halt economic and cultural activities between these two communities.

With the combine effort of the two affected communities, a wooden bridge was constructed as a palliative measure. Though the effort was appreciated as it offered a little succour to the community dwellers but it was a high risk venture and a death trap in disguise as many people (Mostly women, children and motorcyclists) lost their lives in the process of crossing over it.

Hopes were rekindled when the contract for reconstruction of the road was awarded and work started in earnest. However, the people were thrown into the worst state of neglect and abandonment by the government when the construction company on site demobilized leaving the two communities (Ibianang and Edem Iyere) worse than they met them.

On the 11th day of February 2018, the Honourable Vice Chairman of Ikono LGA, Hon. Prince Etokobong, while on a visit to Edem Iyere community (one of the affected communities) made a first-hand assesssment of the neglect and abandonment metted on his people. He lamented on the poor living condition of the two communities as their only source of water supply is a stream running across the abandoned road which has been rendered unfit for any purpose as a result of the construction works.

It is noteworthy to state here that this section of the road has been left abandoned for more than 15 years and economic activities halted for these years and counting. This hampers development and left the people in penury but sad to say that even at this level of abandonment and lack of government presence in these communities, representatives of government agencies are still dubiously defrauding the dwellers by imposing on them taxes and levies.

In the light of the above, I am calling on the government of the day to please come to our aid. It was George Bush who said that it is the role of government to create an environment where her citizens can take risks to expand the job rates in the country. It is also the duty of the government to invest in infrastructure development and rebuilding communities in other to create jobs for her citizenry.

Thank you.