Ikom-Obudu Highway: Human Rights Body Threatens Judicial Action Against Govt Inaction ... After Week Long Youth Protest.

Hannah Arikpo

 An International Organization For Human Rights, Development & Environment (IOHRDE) based in Cross River State has threatened to seek judicial enforcement of fundamental rights against the federal and Cross River state governments if an Emergency Technical Assessment is not declared within fourteen days on the impassable Ikom-Obudu Federal highway which is being described as a death trap in recent times.

 IOHRDE, a UN-Accredited Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) also wants a visible reconstruction timelines and establishment of a transparent multi -stakeholder monitoring framework inclusive of civil society representative to ensure reasonable and demonstrable steps are initiated within a constitutionally timeframe.

  The warning which was contained in an Executive Legal notice titled "Re: Constitutional and Human Rights Violations Arising from the Deterioration of the Ikom–Obudu Federal Highway", addressed to the Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, Minister of Works and the Managing Director and Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) was signed by the

National Director For Prevention And Awareness of Human Rights Violation and

State Coordinator,

(IOHRDE)Pst. Amb. Commander Undie Ashibekong John,

 The notice further states" IOHRDE reserves the right to Seek judicial enforcement of fundamental rights under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules;

 Petition the National Assembly for oversight proceedings.

Engage relevant national and international human rights monitoring bodies as well as pursue all lawful remedies available under Nigerian law.

 According to the Human Rights body, the notice aims at addressing the prolonged deterioration of the Ikom–Obudu Federal Highway and its direct impact on constitutionally guaranteed rights and Nigeria’s binding international human rights obligations.

 It lamented the horrible effects of the Ikom–Obudu Federal Highway currently posing multiple failed, impassable sections, prolonged traffic gridlocks and vehicle damage, exposure of stranded commuters to insecurity, severe disruption of agricultural transport, delayed emergency medical response, escalating transport costs and food inflation while 

communities across Ikom, Boki, Etung, Obudu, Obanliku, Bekwarra and adjoining areas are directly affected. It describes 

the negative impact as not merely inconveniencing but 

systemic socio-economic hardship with foreseeable risks to life, dignity, mobility, and economic survival.

 The notice made reference to the 1999 Constitutional provisions as amended in: 

 Section 33 – Right to Life :

 Section 34 – Right to Dignity of the Human Person : 

Section 41 – Freedom of Movement: and

 Section 14(2)(b) – Security and Welfare of the People :

 Therefore, government must respect, protect and fulfill all rights with the provision of functional infrastructure enabling safe economic participation and mobility as an essential component of these obligations."

  It however, advocated a cooperative federal governance which requires effective coordination between federal and state authorities where public safety and economic stability are affected.

The sustained deterioration of a major federal corridor, despite its known socio-economic impact, raises concerns of administrative inaction, 

accountability deficit and delay in reasonable intervention.

  The notice called for an 

Immediate declaration of an Emergency Technical Assessment within fourteen days, provide urgent palliative stabilization of the most hazardous segments among other remedial measures.

 It will be recalled that the deplorable condition of the Ikom-Obudu highway had attracted public interest, notably the one week protest by youths of the central senatorial district of the state and threats to boycott the 2027 elections.