Five Years After Award, Sermatech Abandons N14bn Odukpani-Akamkpa-Akpet Road Project
By Missang AKPET
The Calabar-Ikom road constructed in 1975 is one of the oldest roads still motorable in the state 43 years after.
The Odukpani - Akamkpa - Biase section of the Calabar - Ikom - Ogoja Road has been a death trap for motorists for several years now.
The 73 kilometer long single carriageway serves as the link between the industrial town of Akamkpa to to Yakurr and other northern states.
Its frequent usage by industrial vehicles and heavy duty trucks had led to the deterioration of the road to an almost impassable state, leading to major road accidents, breakdowns and loss of lives and properties.
Some motorist, who spoke with THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that the road has become the transporters' nightmare with its condition becoming worse than Calabar-Itu road.
Philip Awuna, a commercial driver, said there is a deep pothole at Uyangha axis in Akamkpa local government, by the primary school, for over 6 years.
This pothole according to him, has claimed so many lives and caused breakdown of vehicles without any lasting measure on the road.
Another driver, who simply gave his name as Ayaya Abasi, told THE BEAGLE NEWS that he was present at the ground breaking ceremony of the repairs of the Odukpani-Biase but is surprised that the road is yet to be done.
"I was at the flag off of the road years back at Akpet where the contract was awarded by the minister of Works for the rehabilitation of this road. We were happy that the road will be like the Ikom - Ugep axis but up-till now nothing has been done.
"We need government to come to our aid and fix this road. This is a road we ply 1:20mins at most from Calabar to Ugep but today we use nothing less than 2: 30mins on that stretch," he lamented.
Findings from THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that in January 2017, the federal ministry of works under the then minister Babatunde Fashola awarded the same Odukpani Junction - Ikot Okopra-Akpet 1 Road to Sermatech Construction Company for rehabilitation at the sum of NGN14,017,170,597.90k.
The contract, according to specifications spelt out on Sermatech's website www.sermatechng.com, was supposed to last for 24 months (2 years) but 5 years later, the road is yet to be worked on.
Again, in February 2024, data sources reveal that another N1.4billion was awarded to same Sermatech Construction Company for the rehabilitation of the same Odukpani Junction-Akpet Central portion of the road and 8 months after no work on site.
Meanwhile, Tracka.ng a budget and project monitoring site reported in August 2024 that the 73km Odukpani Junction - Akpet Central portion of the road has been completed by Sermatech Nigeria Limited and is being used.
When THE BEAGLE NEWS visited the road, there is no evidence to show that there is ongoing construction nor rehabilitation work has been carried out on the road as the road is in a deplorable state.
Last Tuesday, a Dangote truck fell along the Awi axis of the road, causing traffic hold up to vehicular movement and for about 2 weeks now, vehicles plying the road experience holdup almost everyday as it is either a car has broken down or fallen around bad spots due to the condition of the road.
With the condition, motorists and commuters have called on federal government and Sermatech to come to their aid, threatening to block the axis of the road if nothing is done quickly.
