Bridging Promise and Progress: The Silent Transformation Unfolding in Cross River’s Central District
Amid the cacophony of political skirmishes reverberating across Cross River State’s digital landscape, a transformative federal intervention is quietly taking root—largely unnoticed but profoundly consequential.
In the Central Senatorial District, a federal infrastructure project of monumental proportions is underway. The construction of the Ebom–Ndibe Bridge and its attendant Ebom-Asim federal highway is poised to dramatically alter the socioeconomic trajectory of Cross River and Ebonyi States, establishing a critical artery for the movement of people, goods, and services from the southeastern corridor into the nation’s commercial heartlands.
The project entails the erection of a bridge spanning the Cross River, linking Ndibe in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State with Ebom in Abi LGA of Cross River State. This connection further extends to Adim in Biase LGA, where it integrates with the existing Calabar–Ikom Highway, thereby opening a seamless transport corridor across states. More than a feat of engineering, this project represents a catalyst for inclusive development, regional integration, and expanded economic activity.
For the people of Ebom and the broader Bahumono communities, this long-awaited intervention has been met with unreserved elation. For decades, these communities have contended with infrastructural neglect, isolation, and stunted economic growth. The ongoing construction, therefore, is not merely a public works project—it is a beacon of long-overdue progress.
At the heart of this breakthrough lies the unwavering commitment of Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, representative of the Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. During his 2023 campaign tour, Senator Williams visited Ebom, where community stakeholders passionately advocated for urgent attention to the Bahumono Road, which connects nine communities to the Ugep–Abaomege federal route, and the deteriorating Ebom–Adim corridor.
True to his pledge, and within just four months of assuming office, Senator Williams engaged with the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, a former colleague in the Red Chamber. During a strategic meeting in October 2023, Williams sought clarity on the road’s official designation and presented the Ebom–Adim–Ebom Beach (Rehat Ekpoi) axis as a priority for inclusion in the Federal Government’s Special Intervention Fund.
Fortuitously, Minister Umahi—who had, during his tenure as Governor of Ebonyi State, envisioned a bridge linking Ndibe to Cross River—instantly recognised the corridor’s strategic relevance. That pivotal conversation, catalyzed by Williams’ advocacy, breathed life into what had long been an aspirational but dormant proposal.
Today, with work progressing steadily on-site, there is renewed optimism that the project will reach completion within its scheduled timeframe. Once realised, the Ebom–Ndibe Bridge will become only the second interstate bridge in Cross River—following the Odukpani–Itu Bridge—and will serve as a vital connective infrastructure between Cross River and Ebonyi States.
The people of Ebom have extended profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose administration approved the project, and to Minister Umahi for fast-tracking its implementation. However, the highest commendations are reserved for Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, whose fidelity to his constituents’ aspirations has translated into tangible action and federal presence.
The Ebom–Ndibe Bridge and Highway is more than a construction effort—it is an enduring testament to the power of responsive leadership, intergovernmental synergy, and the profound impact of purposeful representation. It stands not only as an infrastructural marvel but also as a symbol of hope, progress, and the rebirth of neglected communities.
Sunny Udeh
Proud indigene of Ebom, Abi LGA
Writing from Calabar
