June 06, (THEWILL) – Residents of Udo Otung Uboh lane, in the heart of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, have expressed displeasure over the bad state of the street which has been without motorable road for over 40 years.
Residents of the area who spoke with THEWILL described the street as the worst in Uyo and less than 3km to the state Government House.
Connecting two prominent streets, Kelvin and Udo Otung Uboh streets, the road is said not to have witnessed any vehicular traffic in the last 20 years.
A visit to the area by THEWILL Correspondent, revealed that some portions of the road has been eaten by gully erosion more than five metres deep, while trees grow on the middle, amidst tall shrubs with nasty smelling stagnant bodies of water dotting every inch of the street.
According to Michael Essien, a recident of the street, not only has no vehicle driven on the street for over 20 years, dangerous reptiles have taken abode on it, making it risky on foot especially during the rainy season.
“This road has been like this even before Akwa Ibom state was created. It is bad to the extent that no government regime has ever come to aid this community in the construction of this road.
“Over 20 years now, no vehicle has entered this road, but as a Community through our collective efforts, we always ensure that the road is walkable. We are appealing to the government and relevant agencies to come to our aid.
“During this rainy season, the whole area including people’s houses and shops are always flooded with water, thereby leaving some houses and shops unoccupied and useless until dry season.
“Therefore, we beg the state government to rescue us from this situation so as to bring development to the area.There was a time ministry of Works came to inspect the road and ever since then, we have not heard the outcome of their Inspection.” Essien explained.
According to another resident, Udeme Ikpat,” this road has been like this even before Obasanjo’s regime, when we had Obong Victor Attah as the governor of Akwa Ibom state.
“I met a young man who recounted his encounter with Ephraim Inyang-eyin, who was the Commissioner of works till recently, he said a letter was written to him and then stamped giving them the assurance that the road will be Constructed. But unfortunately for him, when he left the state for a course, another extension of the road was being constrcted instead of the Udotung Uboh lane and since then, the road has not been given further attention.
“Over 40 years now, no government is interested in constructing this road. This road would have been constructed during Nsima Ekere’s tenure as the NDDC boss. He wanted to construct this road, but due to some political issues with the state government, he could not do it.
“Why I said NDDC would have constructed this road is that Brown street is smaller than Odutung Uboh lane, yet it was constructed. Many landlords and tenants have evacuated this area as a result of flood.
“I am a carpenter but due to the bad condition of this road nobody recognises the existence of a carpenter in this area. My shop is empty and I am always stranded because this is my only source of income. We have lost so many of our properties. Our documents have been damaged because of flood.” Ikpat lamented.
THEWILL findings also revealed that due to neglect by successive government, many residents have made illegal encroachment on the road through indiscriminate building of parameter fences, houses and shops making it increasingly vulnerable to flooding and gully erosion.
Onlookers are of the view that though Akwa Ibom State government has been commended for her effort on road construction despite harsh economic realities, the neglect of such roads within the metropolis would caste a dark cloud and overshadow efforts so far made in this direction.
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