Akwa Ibom urges FG to fix Calabar-Itu federal highway

The Akwa Ibom Government has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently ensure the reconstruction of Calabar-Itu federal highway due to ease the pains of the road users.
Ephraim Inyang, the State Commissioner for Works, made the appeal during a joint visit on Tuesday to the failing portions of the road along Enen Attai- Mbak Attai Itam axis.
He said the state government was concerned with the current deplorable state of the road, which was beyond FERMA’s maintenance works.
Inyang embarked on the visit with members of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly committee on works.
According to him, the visit is to ascertain the level of work done on the road.
He said: “I went out with my team and the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly committee on works to ascertain the level of work done on the Calabar-Itu Highway.
“As you all know, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency does not construct roads; they carry out maintenance.
“Calabar-Itu highway does not require maintenance but it requires reconstruction and we will have to write to the Federal Government to take full responsibility for it.
“Also, the Abak- Ekparakwa road requires total reconstruction because the road has expired and it’s a waste of our resources because of the level of traffic we have on these roads.”
News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the joint visit was sequel to a motion moved in the House by the member representing Itu constituency, Kufreabasi Edidem on the deplorable state of the road.
Inyang noted that the road links Akwa Ibom and Cross River states with other parts of the country.
He described the road as a death trap and called on the Federal Government to urgently come to the aid of road users in the area.
The commissioner noted that the road has expired because it was constructed in 1974.
Lawrence David, the Chairman Committee on Works lamented the condition of the road, saying that it was affecting the economic activities of the state because the road connects Akwa Ibom with the neighbouring state.
Also speaking, Iwatt Nkereuwem, the Chairman, Enen Atai Village Council, thanked the state government for responding quickly to the community’s plight.